Murray ruptures Achilles tendon

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Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker returns from the field at the end of organized team activities at the team’s training facility on June 6, 2024, in Owings Mills, Maryland. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun/TNS)

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Dallas Mavericks guard Quentin Grimes swats the ball away from New Orleans Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray (5) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

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San Jose Sharks’ Mikael Granlund (64) waits for a face-off during their game against the Philadelphia Flyers in the first period at the SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., on Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

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Murray ruptures Achilles tendon

Dejounte Murray’s season is over, with the Pelicans confirming Saturday that the standout guard ruptured his right Achilles tendon and now faces a lengthy rehab process. It’s the latest blow in an injury-dominated season for the Pelicans, who came into the year hoping a star trio of Murray, Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram would be able to lead them back to the playoffs. Those three players were never on the court at the same time this season. Murray got hurt Friday night in a game against the Celtics, the noncontact injury immediately prompting speculation that he tore his Achilles tendon. Murray had driven into the lane and took a shot, then went to chase after his miss. But he fell to the court and grabbed at the back of his right foot, then hobbled toward the bench. The Pelicans said an MRI that showed the rupture was performed Friday night. Players and coach Willie Green indicated after the 118-116 loss to the reigning champion Celtics that they already knew Murray had suffered a serious injury even before the diagnosis was announced. “It sucks, bro,” guard Jose Alvarado said.

More therapists accuse Tucker

Three additional massage therapists have accused Ravens kicker Justin Tucker of sexually inappropriate conduct, the Baltimore Banner reported Saturday. The news website said nine massage therapists from five spas and wellness centers now have shared accounts with the Banner. In its initial report Thursday, the Banner said it spoke to six massage therapists who recounted firsthand experiences with Tucker from 2012 to 2016. Several therapists said they ended Tucker’s sessions early or refused to work on him again, and managers from two spas said they banned him from returning. Tucker said Thursday in a statement that he has never received any complaints from a massage therapist or been told he was not welcome at a spa or other place of business. Tucker posted the statement on social media calling the allegations about him in the Banner story “unequivocally false.” The NFL has said it will look into the matter, and the Ravens said they would continue to monitor the situation.

Stars acquire Granlund and Ceci

The Stars acquired center Mikael Granlund, pictured, and defenseman Cody Ceci from the Sharks on Saturday in the latest in a flurry of trades around the NHL. The Stars sent a 2025 first-round pick and a conditional third-round pick to San Jose for Granlund and Ceci just over a week before the league takes a break for the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament. The pick becomes a fourth-rounder if the Stars do not reach the Stanley Cup Final. “We are excited to welcome both Mikael and Cody to Dallas,” Stars general manager Jim Nill said. “We see both players as addressing immediate needs for our team.” The move came less than 24 hours after the Canucks traded J.T. Miller to the Rangers and acquired Marcus Pettersson and Danton Heinen from the Penguins in a pair of deals. On Thursday, the Flames got forwards Joel Farabee and Morgan Frost from the Flyers. Granlund, who turns 33 on Feb. 26, gives the banged-up Stars some dependable depth down the middle. The 31-year-old Ceci also provides much-needed help on the blue line with Miro Heiskanen considered week to week. —AP