Breanna Stewart and the United States used a dominant defensive effort to beat Canada and reach the gold medal game of the World Cup for the fourth consecutive tournament.

Stewart scored 17 points and the Americans raced out to an early lead to put away Canada 83-43 in Sydney. The 43 points was the fewest scored in a semifinal game in World Cup history.

The Americans today will face China, who edged Australia 61-59. The Chinese team lost to the U.S. by 14 points in the pool round — the closest game of the tournament for the Americans. The U.S. (7-0) is on a record pace for points and margin of victory in the tournament.

GriffIn headed to Celtics >> Veteran big man Blake Griffin has agreed to a contract with the Boston Celtics, according to various media reports.

Griffin, 33, should help the defending Eastern Conference champions weather the absence of center Robert Williams III, who is expected to miss 8-12 weeks after knee surgery. The 2009 No. 1 overall draft pick, Griffin is a six-time All-Star who averaged career lows of 6.4 points and 4.1 rebounds in 17 minutes with the Nets last season.

Golf

Hughes moves into tie for lead at Sanderson >> Mackenzie Hughes shot a 9-under 63 for a share of the lead in the Sanderson Farms Championship.

Hughes birdied his last two holes at the Country Club of Jackson to catch Thomas Detry, who played in the morning and had a second straight 67.

They were at 10-under 134, one shot ahead of Sepp Straka (66). Defending champion Sam Burns had a 68 and very much in the mix, just five shots back.

Birdies power Hull to LPGA lead >> Charley Hull had eight birdies in her round of 7-under 64 to take the 36-hole lead in The Ascendant LPGA.

Hull seized control with four birdies in a six-hole stretch around the turn and led by two shots over Xiyu “Janet” Lin (68) and Atthaya Thitikul, whose eagle-birdie finish gave her a 67. Thitikul can go to No. 1 in the women’s world ranking by winning for the second straight week on the LPGA Tour.

NFL

Jones out for Pats >> Patriots quarterback Mac Jones was ruled out for Sunday’s game at Green Bay despite making a surprise return to the practice field. Coach Bill Belichick said earlier in the week that if Jones couldn’t go, veteran backup Brian Hoyer would start in his place against the Packers.

In other NFL injury news: The beat-up Detroit Lions ruled out five players for Sunday’s game against Seattle, including star receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, star running back D’Andre Swift and Pro Bowl guard Jonah Jackson. Kicker Austin Seibert and defensive lineman John Cominsky also will not play.