Dream fire Tanisha Wright, the third coach ousted since playoffs began

The Atlanta Dream have fired coach Tanisha Wright after three seasons, the franchise announced Wednesday.

Wright took over the team in 2022 and helped them reach the playoffs the last two seasons. The Dream lost both years in the opening round of the postseason, including to New York last month. They were swept in two games both years.

Wright is the third WNBA coach to be fired in the past few weeks. Curt Miller was let go in Los Angeles and Teresa Weatherspoon parted ways with Chicago.

USC’s Juju Watkins ready to take torch from Clark

ROSEMONT, Ill.>> Juju Watkins starred with Joel Embiid in an AT&T commercial and threw out a first pitch at a Dodgers game.

Southern California’s sensational sophomore has a chance to grab the torch that Caitlin Clark carried the past few years as the standard bearer for women’s college basketball.

“I wouldn’t really say pressure,” she said at Big Ten media day. “I think my main focus is just winning with my team.”

Team video review success rate rises to 53.7%, led by Red Sox at 67.9%

NEW YORK>> Teams increased their success rate on video reviews to 53.7% this season, led by the Boston Red Sox at 67.9%.

The New York Yankees (66.7%), Seattle (65.7%) Arizona (64.1%) and Philadelphia (62.3%) also were among the top five in success rate.

Oakland (43.1%), St. Louis (43.6%), Washington (43.8%) Cincinnati (46%), the Los Angeles Angels (46.3%) and the Chicago White Sox (46.2%) were the least successful.

Valenzuela steps away from his broadcast duties to focus on his health

LOS ANGELES>> Fernando Valenzuela is stepping away from his broadcast duties with the Los Angeles Dodgers for the rest of the season so the former major league pitcher can focus on his health.

Valenzuela, who turns 64 on Nov. 1, is a Spanish language broadcaster for LA. The team said he is hoping to return for next season.

Carlos Rodón to start Game 2 for Yankees

NEW YORK>> Carlos Rodón will start Game 2 of the AL Division Series for the New York Yankees against Baltimore.

AL Cy Young Award winner Gerrit Cole will start Saturday’s opener.

Mavs star Doncic injures calf in preseason practice

DALLAS>> Dallas Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic injured a calf during preseason practice and will be re-evaluated in a week.

Alcaraz rallies past Sinner to win the China Open

BEIJING>> Carlos Alcaraz won seven straight points in the decisive tiebreaker to beat top-ranked Jannik Sinner 6-7 (6), 6-4, 7-6 (3) and win the China Open, his third win this year over his biggest rival.

Messi will join Argentina for World Cup qualifiers

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina>> Lionel Messi will return to Argentina’s national team this month for the South American World Cup qualifying matches against Venezuela and Bolivia.

— The Associated Press