Don Nelson has been invited to the NBA Finals countless times in recent years, always declining those opportunities.

This time, his peers found a way to ensure he couldn’t say no.

Nelson — a Basketball Hall of Famer and three-time NBA coach of the year — was announced Sunday as this year’s recipient of the Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by the National Basketball Coaches Association. It will be formally given out Sunday night, about an hour before Game 2 of the NBA Finals between the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder.

Nelson, 85, retired in 2010 as the NBA’s all-time coaching wins leader with 1,335, just ahead of Lenny Wilkens’ 1,332. Nelson kept that top spot for nearly 12 years before now-retired San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich passed him in March 2022.

MLB

A’s acquire Wynns >> The Athletics acquired catcher Austin Wynns from the Cincinnati Reds for cash.

In another move announced, the Milwaukee Brewers claimed outfielder Drew Avans off waivers from the Athletics and assigned him to their Triple-A Nashville affiliate.

The 34-year-old Wynns had batted .400 with a .442 on-base percentage, three homers and 11 RBIs in 18 games with the Reds.

Racing

Hamlin wins NASCAR Cup Series race at Michigan >> Denny Hamlin outlasted the competition at Michigan International Speedway, winning his third NASCAR Cup Series race this season and the 57th of his career.

Hamlin, in the No. 11 Toyota, went low to pass William Byron on the 197th of 200 laps and pulled away from the pack.

The 44-year-old was prepared to leave his team to join his fiancée, Jordan Fish, who is due to give birth to their third child, a boy.

Golf

NIEmann wins LIV Virginia >> Joaquin Niemann of Chile won LIV Golf Virginia for his fourth victory in the Saudi-funded tour’s first eight events of the season, closing with an 8-under 63 to beat Graeme McDowell and Anirban Lahiri by a stroke.

Niemann broke out of a logjam at the top with birdies on Nos. 14-17 and parred the par-4 18th to finish at 15-under 198 at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club.

The 26-year-old Niemann also won this year in Australia, Singapore and Mexico. He has six career LIV victories after winning twice on the PGA Tour.

Kupcho wins classic >> Jennifer Kupcho closed with an 8-foot birdie putt in light rain to hold off Ilhee Lee in the ShopRite LPGA Classic, ending a drought of nearly three years without winning.

Kupcho, whose four LPGA Tour titles include a major at the Chevron Championship, birdied three of the last five holes for a 5-under 66. She took the lead with a 20-foot birdie putt from just off the green on the 14th, and avoided a playoff with the putt on 18.

Soccer

Portugal beats spain for Nations League title >> Ruben Neves scored the winning penalty kick as Portugal defeated Spain 5-3 on penalties to win the Nations League.

Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa saved Álvaro Morata’s spot kick, then Neves converted his team’s fifth to seal the win after the match finished 2-2 after extra time.

Italy’s coach Spalletti fired >> Italy’s national soccer team coach Luciano Spalletti announced that he is being fired and will leave after Monday’s World Cup qualifier against Moldova.

The move comes two days after Italy lost 3-0 at Norway in its opening qualifier — already raising the prospect that the Azzurri could fail for the third consecutive time to qualify for the World Cup.

The federation did not immediately name a replacement for Spalletti, although after Monday Italy doesn’t play again until September.