QUICKREADS

Naruka has eyes on bigger prize
Skeet shooter Anantjeet Singh Naruka won the Asian Championships, overcoming tough conditions and technical improvements. He aims to excel at the World Championships and secure an Olympic quota for Los Angeles, building on his recent international success.

Dream beat the Sun 88-72 to move into second place in the WNBA standings
The Atlanta Dream defeated the Connecticut Sun 88-72, securing their position in second place in the WNBA standings. Brittney Griner led with 17 points, while Rhyne Howard contributed 15 and made her 100th 3-pointer of the season. The Dream can clinch the No. 2 playoff seed if Las Vegas loses to Los Angeles.

No-looks and back shoulders: Matthew Stafford is showing he's healthy and ready to lead Rams again
In the Rams' season opener, quarterback Matthew Stafford showcased his skills despite missing preseason due to a back injury. He executed a remarkable no-look pass and a precise back-shoulder throw to Davante Adams, demonstrating his continued growth in his 17th NFL season. Stafford completed 21 of 29 passes for 245 yards, leading the Rams to a 14-9 victory over Houston.

Playoff-bound Lynx, Valkyries set for season finale tune-up
The Minnesota Lynx and Golden State Valkyries face off in their regular-season finale in Minneapolis, with both teams playoff-bound. The Lynx, holding the WNBA's best record, aim for a four-game sweep against the Valkyries, who seek to secure their playoff seed. Coaches emphasize the importance of rhythm and preparedness as they head into the postseason.

Aces visit Sparks aiming for 16th win in a row, No. 2 seed
The Las Vegas Aces aim to clinch the No. 2 seed in the WNBA playoffs with a win against the Los Angeles Sparks, extending their franchise-best 15-game winning streak. Aces' Jewell Loyd and Jackie Young led the recent victory over the Chicago Sky. Meanwhile, the Sparks' playoff hopes ended despite a win over the Mercury.

Rugby-Olympian Carter to make All Blacks debut v South Africa in Wellington
Olympic rugby sevens player Leroy Carter will debut for New Zealand's national team against South Africa in Wellington. He replaces Rieko Ioane, who was dropped after a disappointing performance. Other changes include Will Jordan and Noah Hotham stepping in for injured players. New Zealand leads the Rugby Championship and aims to secure victory against the defending champions.
Yankees' big gesture for Charlie Kirk after Utah University shooting wins hearts: ‘Rest in peace’
Yankees honored Charlie Kirk with a moment of silence at their game after his fatal shooting at a Utah University event. The incident, deemed a political assassination, shocked the nation, with leaders condemning the violence and expressing sympathy for Kirk's family.

Titans coach Brian Callahan sees positives going into matchup with Rams
The Tennessee Titans, coming off a disappointing 3-14 season, struggled in their 20-12 loss to the Denver Broncos, plagued by penalties and offensive inefficiencies. Coach Brian Callahan remains optimistic about the team's potential ahead of their matchup with the Los Angeles Rams, despite quarterback Cam Ward's struggles and the Rams' strong defensive performance in Week 1.

Raiders rookie Ashton Jeanty struggled in his NFL debut, but expectations remain high
Ashton Jeanty, the Raiders' highly-anticipated rookie running back, had a challenging NFL debut, rushing for 38 yards on 19 carries in a 20-13 win over New England. Coach Pete Carroll noted that Jeanty needs time to build chemistry with the offensive line, while Jeanty scored a crucial touchdown and showed promise despite his slow start.

Eduardo Rodriguez in control as Diamondbacks down Giants
Eduardo Rodriguez delivered a stellar performance, throwing 6 1/3 scoreless innings as the Arizona Diamondbacks defeated the San Francisco Giants 5-3, avoiding a sweep. Geraldo Perdomo led the offense with a leadoff home run and two RBIs. This victory snapped Arizona's three-game losing streak, while Rodriguez earned his third consecutive win.

Athletics avoid sweep with 9th-inning rally against Red Sox
Lawrence Butler's walk-off single led the Athletics to a 5-4 victory over the Red Sox, snapping their three-game losing streak. Shea Langeliers and Nick Kurtz homered for Oakland, while Boston's Nate Eaton contributed with an RBI. The Red Sox's winning streak ended with the loss, highlighted by Rob Refsnyder's game-tying double in the ninth inning.

Mike Trout helps Angels take rubber match vs. Twins
Mike Trout's sacrifice fly in the eighth inning secured a 4-3 victory for the Los Angeles Angels against the Minnesota Twins. Trout also had an RBI single, while Zach Neto hit a two-run homer. Robert Stephenson earned the win in relief, and Kenley Jansen recorded his 27th save. Byron Buxton homered for the Twins.

Rodriguez limits Giants to 1 hit over 6 1/3 innings in Diamondbacks' 5-3 victory
Eduardo Rodriguez pitched 6 1/3 innings, allowing just one hit as the Arizona Diamondbacks defeated the San Francisco Giants 5-3, avoiding a series sweep. Geraldo Perdomo contributed two hits, including a leadoff homer, while the Diamondbacks maintained their postseason hopes, now 4.5 games behind the Mets for the final NL wild card spot.

Ed Oliver's game-changing impact doesn't cover up Bills defensive deficiencies in comeback win
Bills defensive tackle Ed Oliver expressed the challenge of returning to practice in full pads after a dramatic win against the Ravens. Despite his standout performance, Coach McDermott emphasized the need for the defense to improve after allowing Baltimore to score on seven of eight drives. The team is focused on growth as they prepare to face the Jets.

Dolphins desperate to erase Week 1 disaster, extend streak over Patriots
Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel aims to improve Miami's offense after a rough Week 1 loss. Meanwhile, Patriots coach Mike Vrabel sees an opportunity to secure a division win in Miami. Both teams face challenges, including player injuries and past performance issues. The Dolphins hope to bounce back, while the Patriots seek to correct their offensive struggles.

Giants, Cowboys scramble to regroup at risk of 0-2 division hole
The Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants face off in a crucial NFC East matchup after both teams suffered losses in Week 1. The Cowboys aim to leverage home-field advantage, while the Giants struggle with a quarterback controversy and injuries. Giants coach Brian Daboll supports Russell Wilson, despite calls for rookie Jaxson Dart, as both teams seek to avoid a poor start in the division.