Damian Lillard returns to the Trail Blazers on a 3-year deal worth $42M

PORTLAND, Ore.>> Damian Lillard is back where he started.

Lillard signed a three-year deal worth $42 million to return to the Portland Trail Blazers, a person with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press on Thursday.

Lillard, 35, was the sixth pick in the 2012 NBA draft by the Trail Blazers and spent 11 seasons with Portland before he was traded to Milwaukee just before the 2023-24 season.

However, it might not be Lillard Time in Portland just yet.

Lillard tore his left Achilles tendon during a first-round NBA playoff series against the Indiana Pacers and required surgery, meaning he could miss the entire 2025-26 season.

FC Nantes finalizing deal for Rapids’ Awaziem

The Colorado Rapids’ back line has taken a major hit.

Sources confirmed to The Denver Post that French club FC Nantes is finalizing a deal to sign Rapids center back Chidozie Awaziem. Family played a role in the move, as Awaziem’s is not in the U.S., sources added.

Awaziem played for Nantes as a 20-year old from 2017-2018, and has seen nine clubs in three continents over his career.

The 28-year-old Nigerian international joined the Rapids last offseason in a move from FC Cincinnati that sent Awaziem and center back partner Ian Murphy to Colorado in exchange for $1 million in General Allocation Money (GAM).

Arsenal pays world record women’s soccer transfer fee to sign Olivia Smith

Olivia Smith became the most expensive player in women’s soccer history Thursday when she joined Arsenal from Liverpool for a world record transfer fee $1.34 million.

The new benchmark surpasses the $1.1 million Chelsea paid for Naomi Girma from San Diego Wave in January.

The 20-year-old forward signed a four-year deal, a person with knowledge of the contract told The Associated Press.

England beats Sweden on penalties to reach Euro 2025 semifinals

ZURICH >> With 12 minutes remaining, defending champion England was heading out of the Women’s European Championship. But then the Lionesses came roaring back.

Two quick goals saw them stage an improbable comeback to draw 2-2 against Sweden and then win a penalty shootout to advance to the semifinals.

Ben Martin scores 16 points to take the lead in Barracuda Championship

TRUCKEE, Calif. >> Ben Martin scored 16 points Thursday to take a two-point lead over David Lipsky and Nick Watney after the first round of the Barracuda Championship, the only PGA Tour event that uses the modified Stableford scoring system.

Players receive eight points for a double eagle, five for eagle and two for birdie. A point is deducted for bogey and three for double bogey.

Diamondbacks star Ketel Marte’s home burglarized during All-Star break

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. >> A home belonging to Arizona Diamondbacks star Ketel Marte was burglarized during the Major League Baseball All-Star break, according to police.

Scottsdale police confirmed that the department is investigating a “high-dollar residential burglary” that is believed to have happened on Tuesday night during the All-Star game.

— Denver Post staff and wire