Category: Sports News

Worldwide Sports News

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Trae Young has right knee MCL sprain, will be re-evaluated in one month

This is bad news for a Hawks team still trying to find its footing after major roster changes last summer.

Trae Young suffered a right knee MCL sprain — although no additional structural damage — and will be re-evaluated in a month, the Hawks announced Saturday. Re-evaluation does not mean return, he could be out longer, but he has started treatment. While the Hawks did not announce a grade for the sprain, a Grade 2 sprain usually has players out closer to six weeks (a Grade 1 strain is generally closer to three weeks).

The injury happened against Brooklyn, when the Nets' Noah Clowney ran into the Hawks' Mo Gueye, who fell backward directly into the unsuspecting Young's knee, bending it awkwardly (if you're at all squeamish, do not play the video below).

Look for Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Luke Kennard to get more run for Atlanta.

Young was averaging 20.8 points and 9.5 assists a game before the Nets game, but had been struggling with his 3-point shot (19.2%).

Atlanta (3-3) built a roster this offseason that, on paper, seems a perfect fit to capitalize on Young's strengths. However, we have seen very little of this group together, as Kristaps Porzingis, Jalen Johnson, and Zaccharie Risacher have all missed time due to injuries. The Hawks and Young did not agree to terms on a contract extension this summer (the same was true for Porzingis), because they wanted to see how this new investment would look on the court before committing to a path going forward. Now, it will be at least another month before we start to see how that comes together.

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Sititi and Roigard seal New Zealand’s Chicago revenge win over Ireland

  • Ireland 13-26 New Zealand

  • All Blacks trail despite early 20-minute red card for Beirne

Tadhg Beirne was shown a contentious early red card as Ireland’s quest to create more special memories in Chicago ended in an emphatic 26-13 loss against New Zealand. Almost nine years to the day since Ireland’s milestone first victory in the fixture, the All Blacks gained revenge at Soldier Field thanks to tries from Ardie Savea, Tamaiti Williams, Wallace Sititi and Cam Roigard.

Ireland initially overcame the controversial third-minute dismissal of Beirne for a high tackle on Beauden Barrett, who landed three conversions, to lead through a Tadhg Furlong score and eight points from Jack Crowley. But the All Blacks underlined their class in the second half to cruise to victory deservedly.

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Liverpool 2-0 Aston Villa: Premier League – as it happened

Mo Salah’s 250th goal for Liverpool calmed the nerves at Anfield and set up a deserved victory in an excellent game

“I’m on the train with a bunch of Pompey lads who wont get home ‘til about midnight after a 4-0 shellacking at St Andrew’s,” writes Gary Naylor. “That they’re in good spirits and planning another away day to Hull, speaks to the irrational nature of the football fan, the game a largely safe space for an otherwise dangerous indulgence.

“That irrationality wants Liverpool to be in crisis, loves the prospect of the inquests in the morning, the phone-ins that will demand his Slot’s head on a stick and Salah and Van Dijk to be sold in January. It’s childish and all but indefensible - but millions of us feel like this!”

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Grizzlies suspend Ja Morant for one game after his postgame comments challenging coaches

Ja Morant was frustrated after a rough shooting night (3-of-14) and scoring just eight points in a loss to the Lakers on Halloween. After the game, he threw the coaches under the bus.

The next afternoon, the Grizzlies suspended Morant one game for "conduct detrimental to the team."

Morant will miss Sunday night's game at Toronto.

After Friday night's loss to the Lakers, Grizzlies coach Tuomas Iisalo reportedly challenged Morant's leadership and effort in front of the team, reports Shams Charania of ESPN. Following that, Morant appeared to blame the coaches when speaking to reporters. Check out this exchange (via Lopo on X).

Reporter: "What went wrong for you today?"

"Go ask the coaching staff," Morant responded.

Reporter: "From the outside... it didn't feel like you had your usual energy tonight."

"Go ask the coaching staff why," Morant replied.

Reporter: "What could have been done differently, other than asking the coaching staff?"

"According to them, probably don't play me, honestly," Morant said. "That's basically what the message was. It's cool."

Iisalo had a point. Morant has to shoulder at least some of the blame, he had a low-effort game, which Blake Griffin called Morant out on during the NBA on Prime broadcast. What separates the game's great leaders — from the veterans like LeBron James and Stephen Curry to the rising stars like Anthony Edwards — is that they bring it every night. Morant did not do that on Friday.

Morant is averaging 20.8 points per game this season(his lowest number since 2021) and is playing 28.5 minutes a game (the fewest of his career). However, the offense is running through him, he is averaging 75.8 touches a game, up sharply from the 67.7 a game he got last season (and very close to the 77.8 and 77 a game he got his All-Star seasons).