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The Fire’s first WNBA season saw success despite no playoff berth

PORTLAND, Ore. — The Portland Fire started the season with a nickname that recalled the past but with a modern coach and general manager who shared a somewhat unconventional approach. The season ended with an unlikely victory, and happy tears. "Obviously we've had some ups and downs, but we're resilient," Bridget Carleton said on the court after the Fire rallied from a 17-0 deficit to beat the Golden State Valkyries 90-82 in overtime in their final game of the season. "But I'm just really excited and proud — I'm going to cry — and happy to be here and I can't wait until next ...

No decision made on possible NHL expansion to Houston or Austin, Texas, after board discusses it

NEW YORK — Meeting for the first time since the NHL began exploring expansion to Houston or Austin, Texas in June, the league's Board of Governors discussed the topic on Tuesday but did not make any decisions, according to Commissioner Gary Bettman. Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly spoke to billionaire Dan Friedkin's group last week and got a full report, and representatives from the 32 current teams were briefed on the situation with no timetable to consider a possible vote on adding a 33rd. "I think everybody's taking a wait-and-see attitude to see what's being presented and what ...

Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell help Fever keep home-court hope alive with 96-77 win over Lynx

INDIANAPOLIS — Caitlin Clark had 27 points, nine assists and seven rebounds, and Kelsey Mitchell added 20 points to her WNBA single-season scoring record as the Indiana Fever beat the Minnesota Lynx 96-77 on Tuesday night. Indiana kept alive its faint hopes of earning the No. 4 seed in the playoffs and home-court advantage in the first round for at least one more day. The Lynx still clinched the No. 1 seed thanks to Golden State's overtime loss to Portland on Tuesday. Mitchell extended her league record to 27 consecutive games with 20 or more points by making a 3-pointer with a ...

Rays clinch 5th AL East title with 6-1 victory at Yankee Stadium in 2nd game of doubleheader

NEW YORK — Playing in perhaps baseball's toughest division, the Tampa Bay Rays were the class of the field this season. The thrifty Rays clinched their fifth AL East title with a 6-1 victory over the New York Yankees in the second game of a day-night doubleheader Tuesday as Drew Rasmussen allowed one hit in 6 2/3 innings and Yandy Díaz hit a pair of two-run singles. Tampa Bay took the AL East for the first time since 2021 and surpassed that team by three days with the earliest division clincher in team history. The club also won division crowns in the pandemic-shortened 2020 ...