AP National Sports

By DOUG FEINBERG AP Basketball Writer Kelsey Plum views her improved play this season to just having more time on the court. The Las Vegas guard is averaging a career-high 20.7 points and 5.7 assists this year to help the Aces jump out to best record in the league. She’s playing a career-best 34.7 minutes

By CLIFF BRUNT AP Sports Writer NORMAN, Okla. (AP) — Baker Mayfield said the Cleveland Browns have work ahead if they want him to help them through their situation with Deshaun Watson. Mayfield, speaking at his football camp near the University of Oklahoma’s campus, didn’t entirely close the door on stepping in if needed. “No,

By TIM BOOTH AP Sports Writer SEATTLE (AP) — The Seattle Storm have signed five-time first-team all-WNBA center Tina Charles for the rest of the season. The signing comes three days after she was let go by Phoenix. The 33-year-old Charles was averaging 17.3 points and 7.3 rebounds in 16 games with the Mercury before

By CHRIS LEHOURITES AP Sports Writer WIMBLEDON, England (AP) — Top-seeded Iga Swiatek has won her opening match on Centre Court at Wimbledon. She beat Croatian qualifier Jana Fett 6-0, 6-3. The victory was Swiatek’s 36th in row and included all seven matches she played at this year’s French Open in winning her second title

By TOM WITHERS AP Sports Writer CLEVELAND (AP) — The Cleveland Cavaliers made the expected move and extended a qualifying offer to guard Collin Sexton, who missed most of last season with a knee injury. Sexton is now a restricted free agent and the high-energy scorer could draw interest from other teams. If Sexton receives

WASHINGTON (AP) — The chairman and ranking minority member of the Senate Judiciary Committee sent a letter to an advocacy group for minor leaguers asking questions about baseball’s antitrust exemption. Sen. Richard Durbin, an Illinois Democrat who chairs the committee, and Charles Grassley, an Iowa Republican, sent the letter Tuesday to Harry Marino, executive director

By DOUG FERGUSON AP Golf Writer European tour players now have access to the PGA Tour. It’s part of an extended partnership between the PGA Tour and European tour that stretches to 2035. The leading 10 players from the European Tour will get PGA Tour cards. That doesn’t include players who already are members of

NEW YORK (AP) — Outfielder Stephen Piscotty was activated from the 10-day injured list by the Oakland Athletics after recovering from a strained left calf. Infielder Jonah Bride was put on the 10-day IL, retroactive to Monday, a day after he strained his right shoulder in a collision with Chad Pinder. Piscotty was batting .225

By DOUG FERGUSON AP Golf Writer Brooks Koepka is all about being bold and blunt. That’s his reputation, as much as his remarkable record in the majors. So now we find out if he’s honest about his leaving the PGA Tour to take guaranteed riches on the Saudi-funded LIV Golf rebel league. AP Golf Writer

By JENNA FRYER AP Auto Racing Writer CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Chase Elliott’s mood seemed lighter at Nashville Superspeedway even before he picked up his second Cup win of the season. NASCAR’s most popular driver has never had the most positive attitude and is extremely hard on himself. But as he told The Associated Press

PISCATAWAY, N.J. (AP) — Rutgers has hired former Tennessee star Nikki McCray-Penson as an assistant coach for the women’s basketball team. Scarlet Knights coach Coquese Washington announced the hiring Tuesday, a day after adding former Rutgers star Tasha Pointer as an assistant coach. McCray-Penson has 15 years of college coaching experience, most recently as head

MILTON KEYNES, England (AP) — Red Bull has terminated the contract of Formula One test and reserve driver Jüri Vips on Tuesday for using a racial slur during an online gaming stream. The 21-year-old Estonian was suspended by Red Bull last week pending an investigation into the language he used. Vips had apologized for his

CLEVELAND (AP) — Cleveland Guardians catcher Austin Hedges has been placed on the 7-day injured list with a concussion. That forced the team to acquire veteran Sandy León in a trade with Cincinnati. Cleveland made the deal and several other roster moves before a day-night doubleheader against Minnesota. Hedges took a foul tip off his

By TIM REYNOLDS AP Basketball Writer A person with direct knowledge of the decision says Los Angeles Lakers guard Russell Westbrook is exercising his option to play for $47.1 million next season. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because neither Westbrook nor the Lakers revealed the decision publicly. ESPN first

GREENSBORO, N.C. (AP) — The Atlantic Coast Conference is going forward with a plan to change its football scheduling model, with the biggest change being the elimination of divisions. The new plan, adopted by the league’s athletic directors and faculty athletic representatives on Tuesday, will be what the league calls a 3-5-5 model and goes

MONACO (AP) — French league club Monaco has signed attacking midfielder Takumi Minamino on a four-year deal from Liverpool. The 27-year-old Japan international scored 14 goals in 55 games overall for Liverpool after joining from Red Bull Salzburg. Minamino won three trophies at Liverpool including the Premier League title in 2020 and both domestic cups

By CHRIS LEHOURITES AP Sports Writer WIMBLEDON, England (AP) — Top-seeded Iga Swiatek has won her opening match on Centre Court at Wimbledon. She beat Croatian qualifier Jana Fett 6-0, 6-3. The victory was Swiatek’s 36th in row and included all seven matches she played at this year’s French Open in winning her second title

By DOUG FERGUSON AP Golf Writer The Saudi-backed LIV Golf wants to get Official World Golf Ranking points for its series. There could be a few hurdles when it applies to join the system. Assuming the application is received in the next two weeks, the OWGR governing board and the technical committee will be meeting