SPORTS HEADLINES

NBA suspends Clippers owner Ballmer, fines team $30M, Kawhi Leonard $700K in cap circumvention case

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer was suspended for one year by the NBA, and the team was ordered to forfeit five first-round draft picks and pay a $30 million fine for violating salary cap circumvention rules in a case involving Kawhi Leonard. Also, president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank has been banned for six months and team president of business operations Gillian Zucker was suspended for one year. Leonard was hit with a $700,000 penalty. The league’s decision follows a nearly yearlong investigation. The penalties reflect the league’s firm stance on maintaining fair play and financial integrity. The Clippers say they will challenge the decision.

Dave Roberts to consult trainers and Shohei Ohtani, weighing a day off after 4-strikeout game

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts is concerned about Shohei Ohtani’s physical condition after he struck out four consecutive times. Roberts plans to discuss Ohtani’s health with the training staff and the two-way superstar on Thursday. Ohtani hasn’t pitched since July 3 due to knee and biceps pain, which might be affecting his offensive performance. Roberts says Ohtani hasn’t been himself lately and might need a day off. Meanwhile, the Dodgers are uncertain if Ohtani will pitch again this season as the defending World Series champions chase a third consecutive title.

Brewers’ Jacob Misiorowski matches career worsts in runs allowed and walks in rough start vs. Cubs

CHICAGO (AP) — Milwaukee Brewers ace Jacob Misiorowski had a rare off night. Misiorowski surrendered five runs and five hits in four innings against the Chicago Cubs. The 6-foot-7 right-hander struck out five and walked four in his 26th start this season and No. 40 for his career. The five earned runs and four walks matched Misiorowski’s career highs. He surrendered three earned runs or fewer in his first 25 starts this year. The 24-year-old Misiorowski is the front-runner for the NL Cy Young Award in his second big league season. He said the muggy conditions at Wrigley Field contributed to his struggles.

A courtroom near LSU becomes the focus of college football and NCAA eligibility for pros

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — A courtroom a couple miles from LSU’s Tiger Stadium has become the focus of college football heading into the opening weekend of play for most teams. Several dozen athletes awaited a ruling Thursday that could clear the way for them to compete this fall — even if they already turned pro. Attorneys for the athletes, the NCAA and Southeastern Conference were slated to appear before East Baton Rouge Parish Judge William Jorden, who scheduled a hearing concerning the status of his earlier temporary injunction preventing the NCAA from ruling the athletes ineligible.

First Trump, now Everton: Balogun at center of another fiasco as deadline-day transfer fails

MONACO (AP) — Monaco’s sporting director says U.S. striker Folarin Balogun pulled out of a deal to join Everton in the final minutes of European soccer’s summer transfer window because he felt uncomfortable that the English club raised doubts about his health in a medical check. Thiago Scuro has held a news conference and given a detailed laydown on how Balogun’s proposed move to Everton for a reported 40 million pounds ($54 million) fell apart with the clock ticking on deadline day. There is still the possibility that Balogun could leave Monaco and move to a country where the transfer window is still open. Balogun was also at the center of a fiasco at the World Cup that involved President Donald Trump.

Tiger Woods pleads no contest to reckless driving charge over rollover crash in Florida

STUART, Fla. (AP) — Tiger Woods has pleaded no contest to a reckless driving charge in Florida. Woods was arrested in March following a rollover crash near his home on Jupiter Island and was initially charged with driving under the influence. The golf legend appeared Wednesday in court in Martin County to enter his plea on the lesser charge. Authorities say deputies found two pain pills in Woods’ pocket after the crash, and he showed signs of impairment. He did a Breathalyzer test, which came out negative, but refused to take a urine test. Woods said little during the hearing. He arrived at the courthouse with his girlfriend, Vanessa Trump, President Donald Trump’s former daughter-in-law.

Aryna Sabalenka powers her way into the third round of the US Open in just 53 minutes

NEW YORK (AP) — Aryna Sabalenka came to the U.S. Open struggling and in danger of losing the No. 1 ranking. She heads to the third round looking every bit ready for a three-peat. The top-seeded Sabalenka overwhelmed Polina Iatcenko 6-1, 6-1 in 53 minutes on Wednesday night, putting on a power-hitting display that made it seems her recent problems are in the past. Sabalenka is trying to become the first player to win three in a row in Flushing Meadows since Serena Williams from 2012-14. Carlos Alcaraz also moved into the third round by beating Jaime Faria in four sets.

Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes appears on track to start Week 1 against the Denver Broncos

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Patrick Mahomes remains on track to start for the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 1 against the Denver Broncos. The two-time MVP has been focused on returning since undergoing knee surgery in December. Doctors initially thought he might not be ready until October, but Mahomes exceeded expectations in his rehab. He worked with the first team throughout training camp, though he didn’t play in any preseason games. Chiefs coach Andy Reid confirmed Mahomes will continue practicing. The team faces some uncertainty with their offensive line because of injuries, but they’re making adjustments to ensure protection for Mahomes.

With a new-look roster and no A’ja Wilson the US FIBA World Cup title defense gets tougher

BERLIN (AP) — The U.S. has dominated the women’s FIBA World Cup for nearly two decades, winning the last four titles. A young American roster led by the trio of Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers and Angel Reese now complement U.S. stalwart Breanna Stewart as the team looks to win its fifth straight championship. The Americans will be missing four-time WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson, who the team announced Monday would miss the World Cup along with Kelsey Plum. They were replaced by newcomers Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen.

Klint Kubiak selects Kirk Cousins as Raiders starting QB for opener against Miami

HENDERSON, Nev. (AP) — Kirk Cousins, as expected, will be the Raiders’ starting quarterback when Las Vegas opens its season at home Sept. 13 against Miami, coach Klint Kubiak announced Wednesday. Cousins ran the first-team offense nearly the entire preseason with rookie and No. 1 overall draft pick Fernando Mendoza working mostly with the second unit. The Raiders kept three quarterbacks; Aidan O’Connell returns for his fourth season. Running back Ashton Jeanty, who suffered an injury in practice Aug. 23, could be ready to go in the opener. When asked if he was optimistic that Jeanty would play against the Dolphins, a smiling Kubiak said, “Yes.”