Sports

Commanders’ Jayden Daniels will not play against the Raiders on Sunday because of an injured knee

ASHBURN, Va. (AP) — Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels will miss Sunday’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders because of an injured left knee. It is the first game Daniels will sit out since entering the NFL last season. He was unable to fully participate in practice on Friday after also missing work with his teammates on Wednesday and Thursday. Washington coach Dan Quinn said the reigning AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year won’t play this week and Marcus Mariota will replace Daniels in the lineup. It will be the first start for Mariota since 2022 with the Atlanta Falcons.

Despite losing Caitlin Clark and other key players to injury, Fever still reach WNBA semifinals

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The Indiana Fever defied the odds. They made it here, to the WNBA semifinals, despite losing Caitlin Clark in mid-July with a groin injury and four other players with season-ending injuries along the way. They made it by rallying in the final minute in a decisive Game 3 at Atlanta to win their first playoff series in a decade. And now they’ll try to defy the odds again starting Sunday in Las Vegas when they square off with the league’s hottest team. How have they done it? With grit, resilience and an uncanny ability to adapt on the fly.

Dodgers great Clayton Kershaw to pitch his last regular-season home game

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Clayton Kershaw pitches the final regular-season home game of his 18-year career with the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday. The 37-year-old Kershaw announced his decision to retire at the season’s end. He will be surrounded by teammates, family and fans. Kershaw has won three Cy Young Awards and two World Series championships. The Dodgers’ magic number to clinch a playoff spot is six, and they face the San Francisco Giants. Kershaw acknowledges the importance of the game for both teams. Despite a dip in velocity, his competitive spirit remains strong.

Lyles wins his fourth 200-meter world title. Jefferson-Wooden completes a sprint sweep

TOKYO (AP) — Noah Lyles pulled ahead of Kenny Bednarek heading into the straightaway then held him off down the stretch to capture his fourth title in a much-awaited 200 meters at world championships. Lyles finished in 19.52 seconds for a .06-second margin over Bednarek who led at the halfway point, fell behind by a few steps but was closing the gap over the final footsteps. Lyles matched Usain Bolt with four titles at the world championships. Minutes later, Melissa Jefferson-Wooden completed the first women’s 100-200 double at worlds since Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, winning in 21.68 seconds — a .46-second margin over surprise silver medalist Amy Hunt of Britain.

IOC confirms Russians competing as neutrals at Milan-Cortina Games and no talks on Israel

MILAN (AP) — The International Olympic Committee has confirmed that Russian athletes will compete as Individual Neutral Athletes at next year’s Milan-Cortina Winter Games. This decision follows the same approach used at the Paris Games. IOC president Kirsty Coventry says nothing has changed from Paris. Restrictions remain for Russian athletes in the military or those supporting the invasion of Ukraine. The IOC clarified that it has never discussed banning Israel from the Games. The Milan-Cortina Games will take place in northern Italy from Feb. 6-22. Security concerns are heightened due to recent pro-Palestinian protests.

McLaughlin-Levrone says hurdles-400 double is possible. But would she want to do it?

TOKYO (AP) — Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone holds the world record in the 400-meter hurdles and took a giant step closer to setting it in the 400 flat at world championships. Would she ever consider racing in both if the schedule allowed? She acknowledged there’s been a lot of talk about doubles but says it’s not a matter of whether it would be possible, but whether she would want to do it. Olympic oganizers in years past have adjusted schedules on the track program to give greats like Michael Johnson and Allyson Felix a chance to double in their best races.

Efforts to punish Israel over Gaza grow in sports and cultural arenas

GENEVA (AP) — The backlash against Israel over the humanitarian toll of the war in Gaza has spread into the arenas of sports and culture. Days of chaos at one of cycling’s biggest races in Spain. Basketball fans booing the Israeli national anthem. Threats to boycott one of Europe’s signature entertainment events if Israel takes part. Israel’s critics say it should be sidelined from international events like Russia has been since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez joined those critics this week. But global sports bodies like the International Olympic Committee and FIFA do not want to isolate Israel.

Colorado to debut new live buffalo mascot against Wyoming

Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes have introduced a new live mascot. She’s a 700-pound bison officially known as Ralphie VII. The 1-year-old bison will debut Saturday night against Wyoming at Folsom Field. She replaces Ralphie VI, who retired before the season due to a lack of enthusiasm for running. Taylor Stratton, director of the Ralphie Live Mascot Program, expressed excitement about the new addition. Ralphie VII was gifted by the Beauprez Family. She will receive a unique nickname after her first run. The live buffalo mascot tradition has been a part of the University of Colorado for 58 years.

Miami Heat All-Star Tyler Herro has ankle surgery and will miss the start of training camp

MIAMI (AP) — Tyler Herro had surgery Friday to address an ankle issue. This means the Miami Heat will be without their leading returning scorer when training camp begins later this month. Herro is expected to be out for eight weeks, with a more precise return plan to be determined during rehabilitation. The issue had been troubling him throughout offseason training. Herro is coming off his best season, averaging 23.9 points and making the All-Star team for the first time.

RYDER CUP ’25: For Cameron Young, a New York homecoming in the works for 12 years

NAPA, Calif. (AP) — Cameron Young was a high school junior when it was announced the Ryder Cup was going to Bethpage Black in 2025. Thus began a 12-year dream that has come to fruition. The New York native is coming home to play in his first Ryder Cup. Young has a photo of him watching the U.S. Open at Bethpage when he was 5. He was the first amateur to win the New York State Open in 2017 when he broke the course record. Young is the son of the longtime pro at Sleepy Hollow. His mother ran a women’s tour in Florida.