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Mavericks' Khris Middleton fined $25,000 for throwing mouthpiece toward stands in Orlando

Dallas Mavericks guard Khris Middletonwas fined $25,000for throwing his mouthpiece "in the direction of the spectator stands" at Kia Arena duringThursday's 115-114 lossto the Orlando Magic, the NBA announced Saturday.

When exactly the incident occurred or what may have provoked Middleton's actions was not reported. Middleton scored a game-high 19 points for Dallas, his second-best point total since going to the Mavericks inthe blockbuster dealthat sent Anthony Davis to the Washington Wizards.

Middleton, 34, soon thereafteropted to stay with Dallasrather than be bought out of his contract, despite reported interest from playoff contenders, including the Denver Nuggets. He will become a free agent after the season, butco-interim general manager Michael Finley saidthe Mavericks would like to re-sign him, calling him "a consummate pro."

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In 11 games with the Mavericks, Middleton is averaging 12.4 points and 4.3 rebounds and shooting 28% on 3-point attempts. Including his stint with the Wizards, Middleton has played 45 games this season, averaging 10.8 points, 4 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game while shooting 32% on 3s.

Middleton has played 14 NBA seasons, 12 of them with the Milwaukee Bucks. A three-time All-Star, he has a career scoring average of 16.3 points and 38% shooting from 3-point range. He wastraded to the Wizards last seasonfor Kyle Kuzma.

At 21-42, Dallas currently holdsthe 12th spot in the Western Conference, 8.5 games behind the Portland Trail Blazers for the No. 10 seed and a berth in the NBA play-in tournament.

AfterFriday's 120-100 lossto the Boston Celtics (withJayson Tatum returning for Boston), the Mavericks continue their Eastern road trip Sunday versus the Toronto Raptors.

byVaclavien Pynzarien

in

March 07, 2026

Mavericks' Khris Middleton fined $25,000 for throwing mouthpiece toward stands in Orlando

Dallas Mavericks guard Khris Middletonwas fined $25,000for throwing his mouthpiece "in the direction of the spectato...

Olympic champion Alysa Liu withdraws from world figure skating championships

Olympic figure skating championAlysa Liuhas withdrawn from the world championships later this month, an unsurprising move for the defending champ after she wonthe first Winter Games gold medalby an American woman in more than two decades.

Alysa Liu of the United States, center, reacts with other athletes after performing in the figure skating exhibition at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Alysa Liu of the United States reacts after performing in the figure skating exhibition at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Alysa Liu of the United States performs during an exhibition gala at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

APTOPIX Milan Cortina Olympics Figure Skating

Liu would have performed alongside Olympic teammatesAmber Glennand Isabeau Levito when worlds begin March 24 at O2 Arena in Prague. Bradie Tennell was the first alternate but declined, so Sarah Everhardt will take Liu's place on the U.S. team.

The 20-year-old Liu, who retired after the 2022 Beijing Games only to launch a triumphant comeback two years later, became the first American woman since Kimmie Meissner in 2006 to win the world title last year in Boston. She followed up with the first Olympic gold medal for a U.S. woman since Sarah Hughes in 2002 when she stood atop the podium last month at the Milan Cortina Games.

Liu actually came away with two gold medals from Italy; she joined Glenn in helping the U.S. defend its Olympic team title.

Liu has quickly become a star, not only because of her success but also because her attitude and style. Once burned out by the sport, she returned with a fresh, happy-go-lucky outlook, and that positive vibe served her well amid the pressure of the Winter Games.

And with her distinctive streaked haircut, which is supposed to mimic growth rings on a tree, and prominent frenulum piercing, Liu has eschewed the "ice princess" style of yesteryear for a look that has been embraced by the alt, punk and emo crowd.

It is common for Olympic athletes to skip the following world championships. The season is long enough with the first events taking place in early fall, and many choose to begin their offseason early after the stress of performing at the Winter Games.

Among those who also have withdrawn from worlds are Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara, the Olympic pairs champions from Japan; Sara Conti and Niccolo Macii, the pairs team that helped earn team bronze for host Italy; and Loena Hendrickx of Belgium, who has endured a season marked by injuries and finished 14th in the women's event at the Milan Cortina Games.

AP Winter Olympics:https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics

byVaclavien Pynzarien

in

March 07, 2026

Olympic champion Alysa Liu withdraws from world figure skating championships

Olympic figure skating championAlysa Liuhas withdrawn from the world championships later this month, an unsurprising move...

Caitlin Clark set for US national team debut after 8-month injury layoff

Caitlin Clark is excited to make her U.S. national team debut next week when the Americans play in theFIBA World Cupqualifier in Puerto Rico.

It will be Clark's first game play in about eight months since a multitude of injuries derailed herWNBAseason with the Indiana Fever in July.

"It'll probably take a me a second to knock a little bit of the rust off. I'll probably be a little bit nervous, which I usually don't get nervous but that probably comes from I haven't really played basketball in a while," Clark said Saturday. "I'm sure after the first minute of running around on the court, I'll be just fine. But more than anything, just really excited. I know how much work and how much time I put in to make sure my body's as healthy as it can be and to get back."

It's been quite a road back for Clark who played in 13 games last season. She had groin injuries and then a bone bruise in her left ankle. She's been in the gym getting ready, working with the Fever medical team and player developmental staff over the last few months.

"I've always been a person that's going to just rely on my work. I feel like it's certainly made me work harder," Clark said of the injuries. "But that's also probably the part that kind of stunk about it, is I felt like I put in so much time and so much energy going into last season, and then obviously, only appeared in about 13 games."

Clark has fond memories of playing with younger USA Basketball teams. She recalled being in Colorado Springs in her teens and going into a room filled with jerseys of past American greats.

"My eyes were so wide, thought it was the coolest thing in the world of all," she said. "(To see) the senior national jerseys of great men's players and women's players. It's a 15 or 16 year old's dream of doing that one day."

Clark knows this is just her first step with the national team. There was an uproar when she didn't make the 2024 Paris Olympic team. She eyes playing on the World Cup team next fall and then in Los Angeles on the 2028 Olympic squad.

"There's a lot to get to that point," she said. "Obviously that's my goal, the World Cup before that. There's a lot for me to learn."

AP WNBA:https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball

byVaclavien Pynzarien

in

March 07, 2026

Caitlin Clark set for US national team debut after 8-month injury layoff

Caitlin Clark is excited to make her U.S. national team debut next week when the Americans play in theFIBA World Cupquali...

World Baseball Classic: Team USA pours it on late in opening win vs. Brazil

Team USA has a 1-0 record in the 2026 World Baseball Classic. And perhaps some work to do.

Let's just say the Americans walked but did not run against Brazil, which had the deficit at only three runs entering the ninth inning. The U.S. did notch a 15-5 victory, but it was also the kind of performance the Americans can't afford to have against the other WBC powers.

You would expect a lineup featuring the likes of Aaron Judge, Kyle Schwarber and Cal Raleigh — 169 combined homers in 2025 — to blast off against a Brazilian pitching staff featuring multiple teenagers, but the American offense instead came down to two stats: 17 walks and a 5-for-21 performance with runners in scoring position.

HOUSTON, TX - MARCH 06: Kyle Schwarber #12 and Aaron Judge #99 of Team USA celebrate after Judge hits a two-run home run in the first inning of during the 2026 World Baseball Classic Pool B game presented by Capital One between Team USA and Team Brazil at Daikin Park on Friday, March 6, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Ken Griffey Jr./WBCI/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

It was actually Brazil that had more homers Friday in Houston, with 20-year-old Lucas Ramirez, the son of Boston Red Sox great Manny Ramirez, clubbing two. Team USA had only one, off the bat of Judge in the first inning. The game sure looked headed to a blowout at that point.

But the U.S. didn't have a lead of more than two runs until the fifth inning, when they pushed the score to 7-1. Brazil responded with a three-run rally in the seventh inning capped off by a homer from Victor Mascai.

The American avalanche only arrived in the ninth inning, when seven consecutive players reached base to push Team USA's lead to double digits.

It would be hyperbolic to say Team USA looked vulnerable on Friday. We know the group has power, and batted balls are fickle. The Americans struck out only twice in 36 at-bats, and runs become inevitable when that much pressure is on the opposing defense.

Yet it's a good reminder that as talented as this team is, they're playing a sport that can be very cruel to superpowers. Odds are that the next time Team USA posts only three extra-base hits in a game — as they did Friday, with the Judge homer and two doubles from No. 9 hitter Brice Turang — it won't end as well.

Up next for the Americans is a game against Great Britain on Saturday, with Mexico and Italy representing their remaining Group B opponents.

byVaclavien Pynzarien

in

March 07, 2026

World Baseball Classic: Team USA pours it on late in opening win vs. Brazil

Team USA has a 1-0 record in the 2026 World Baseball Classic. And perhaps some work to do. Let's just say ...

Big Ten wrestling tournament bracket, results, standings, highlights from Day 1

Some of the best wrestlers throughout the NCAA will convene at the Bryce Jordan Center in University Park, Pennsylvania this weekend for theBig Ten wrestling tournament.

This year, the Big Ten has introduced a new preliminary seeding system that ranks 14 starters in all 10 weight classes. Penn State, which has won the last three Big Ten wrestling tournament championships, leads all schools with six No. 1 seeds, though four different schools feature a No. 1 seed.

REQUIRED READING:Why Penn State wrestling's Cael Sanderson faults Big Ten seeding

Penn State's Luke Lilledahl (125 pounds), Marcus Blaze (133), Shayne Van Ness (149), Mitchell Mesenbrink (165), Rocco Welsh (184) and Josh Barr (197) all enter as No. 1 seeds in their respective classes. Elsewhere, Nebraska's Antrell Taylor (157) and Christopher Minto (174) are No. 1 seeds, while Ohio State's Jesse Mendez (141) and Michigan's Taye Ghadiali (285) round out top seeds.

The seeding system isnot without its criticisms, however, as undefeated 174-pounder Levi Haines of Penn State is the No. 2 wrestler behind Nebraska's Minto, whom he defeated in February. Elsewhere, No. 1-ranked senior Lucas Byrd of Illinois, the defending national champ, is the No. 2 seed behind Blaze, an undefeated freshman.

Follow along as USA TODAY Sports provides live updates, results and highlights from the Big Ten wrestling tournament:

Big Ten wrestling tournament standings

This section will be updated.

Here are theBig Ten wrestling tournament seedings.

Big Ten wrestling bracket

Here are the officialBig Ten tournament wrestling brackets, courtesy of the Big Ten.

Big Ten wrestling tournament results

This section will be updated.

Big Ten wrestling tournament highlights

This section will be updated.

What channel is Big Ten wrestling tournament today?

Channel: Big Ten Network
Streaming: Fox Sports app | BIG+ | Fubo (free trial)

Day 1 of the Big Ten wrestling tournament will feature multiple sessions that air across the Big Ten Network andBIG+, which serves as BTN's direct-to-consumer streaming service.

Session I will air on the Big Ten Network, while Session II (consolation matches, wrestlebacks) will air exclusively on BIG+. Session II (semifinals) will air on the Big Ten Network. Other potential streaming options include the Fox Sports app (with a valid cable login) andFubo, which carries the Big Ten Network and offers a free trial to potential subscribers.

Big Ten wrestling tournament start time today

Date: Saturday, March 7
Time: 10 a.m. ET (Session I) | 5 p.m. ET (Session II) | 7 p.m. (Session II)
Location: Bryce Jordan Center (University Park, Pennsylvania)

Day 1 of the Big Ten wrestling tournament will have multiple sessions that start at different parts of the day. Session I opens at 10 a.m. ET, while Session II (consolation matches, wrestlebacks) begins at 5 p.m. and Session II (semifinals) begins at 7 p.m.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Big 10 wrestling tournament bracket results, standings, highlights Day 1

byVaclavien Pynzarien

in

March 07, 2026

Big Ten wrestling tournament bracket, results, standings, highlights from Day 1

Some of the best wrestlers throughout the NCAA will convene at the Bryce Jordan Center in University Park, Pennsylvania t...

Flash floods in Nairobi kill 23, disrupt flights at major airport

By Thomas Mukoya and Monica Mwangi

A public transport bus known as matatu lies on top of a private car as a result of heavy rainfall in the Grogan area, popular for automotive workshops and secondhand spare parts, in downtown Nairobi, Kenya, March 7, 2026. REUTERS/Thomas Mukoya

A man looks through the wreckages of private vehicles destroyed following heavy rainfall in the Grogan area, popular for automotive workshops and secondhand spare parts, in downtown Nairobi, Kenya, March 7, 2026. REUTERS/Thomas Mukoya

People stand near a trench polluted with petroleum waste from the wreckages of vehicles destroyed following heavy rainfall in the Grogan area, popular for automotive workshops and secondhand spare parts, in downtown Nairobi, Kenya, March 7, 2026. REUTERS/Thomas Mukoya

People walk along a steel foot-bridge over the overflowing Nairobi River following heavy rainfall in the Grogan area, popular for automotive workshops and secondhand spare parts, in downtown Nairobi, Kenya, March 7, 2026. REUTERS/Thomas Mukoya

A woman walks past the wreckages of private vehicles destroyed following heavy rainfall in the Grogan area, popular for automotive workshops and secondhand spare parts, in downtown Nairobi, Kenya, March 7, 2026. REUTERS/Thomas Mukoya

People walk past the wreckages of public transport buses known as matatus, destroyed following heavy rainfall in the Grogan area, popular for automotive workshops and secondhand spare parts, in downtown Nairobi, Kenya, March 7, 2026. REUTERS/Thomas Mukoya

Aftermath of heavy rainfall at Grogan area, in Nairobi

NAIROBI, March 7 (Reuters) - Aid workers pulled bodies from floodwaters across Nairobi on Saturday after flash floods that began ‌overnight killed at least 23 people, swept away dozens of cars and disrupted ‌flights at East Africa's biggest airport, authorities said.

Kenyan President William Ruto said he had deployed a team of emergency responders, including soldiers, to coordinate rescue efforts, while offering condolences to the affected communities.

"I have also ordered that relief food from our national strategic reserves be immediately released and distributed to families affected by the floods," he said in a statement on social ‌media.

In the industrial neighbourhood of ⁠Grogan, security guard John Lomayan, 34, looked at the body of an elderly man he recognised - a roadside egg seller - trapped beneath a ⁠car that had been washed away when the Nairobi River burst its banks.

"I saw him being carried by the water from up there," he said, gesturing up the road. "We didn't know where he had gone. It is only now that we see him under the ‌car".

Bus driver John Mwai recounted how he turned his bus into a rescue vehicle to move people to higher ground.

Kenya Airways said the rains had disrupted flights to Nairobi and forced some to divert to the coastal city of Mombasa.

Scientists say global warming is worsening floods and droughts across East Africa by concentrating rainfall into shorter, more ‌intense bursts. A 2024 World Weather Attribution study found climate change had made devastating rains in the region twice as likely as before.

A Reuters reporter saw three bodies pulled from underneath cars. Some of ‌the dead had been electrocuted by damaged power lines. National provider Kenya Power separately said the waters had damaged equipment at a substation, listing 14 neighbourhoods that had been affected.

"So many cars, so much stuff, I don't know. Everything was just (washed ‌away). All of the water (came) ... from that river," shocked resident Cedric Mwanza said, referring to the Nairobi River.

(Additional reporting by Humphrey Malalo in Nairobi. Writing by Tim Cocks. Editing by Mark Potter)

byVaclavien Pynzarien

in

March 07, 2026

Flash floods in Nairobi kill 23, disrupt flights at major airport

By Thomas Mukoya and Monica Mwangi Aftermath of heavy rainfall at Grogan area, in Nairobi NAIROBI, March...

Traveling Soon? Here Are The Maps You Need

A large storm system will push into the East and South this weekend. Severe thunderstorms are possible from the northern Appalachians to Texas on Saturday. Rain will affect the Northeast hubs and the I-95 corridor Saturday night. Additionally, persistent showery weather is expected in the Pacific Northwest through the weekend.

Travel Problems Over The Next Few Days

Showers and thunderstorms are possible across the South on Monday. Light snow showers are possible late Monday from the Northern Rockies to the Upper Midwest.

Delays are possible in Dallas, Houston, New Orleans, Atlanta, Nashville, New York and Boston through this weekend.

Delays are possible in Dallas, Houston, Memphis, Atlanta, Nashville and Seattle on Monday.

Current Weather

Current Winds At Cruising Altitude

Flyers will generally travel faster eastward with the jet stream and slower flying westward against strong headwinds in the jet stream. The jet stream is shown by the ribbons of faster moving air shaded in purple, pinks and whites on the map below.