Gold Game Bound

Team USA Men’s Basketball Buries Australia (97-78) to Advance to Gold Medal Game

It didn’t start well, but the way Team USA finished last night’s semifinal game was a potential precursor to a gold medal performance. Australia had the USA on the ropes at halftime (45-42) after the stars and stripes went 2-for-14 from 3-point range, but they exploded in the second half and outscored the Aussies by 22 (55-33) for a decisive win. Kevin Durant (23 points) was sensational once again while Devin Booker (20 points) had his best night of the Olympics. With the win, the United States advance to the gold medal game on Friday night (10:30 pm ET). They’ll face the winner of this morning’s semifinal matchup between France and Slovenia (7:00 am ET).

Read More (USAB)

*Highlights Not Yet Available Due to Schedule

Track& Field: De Grasse Holds Off 3 Americans in 200M

Canadian sprinter Andre De Grasse boosted his Olympic resume with his first gold medal in the 200-meter dash. De Grasse’s 19.62-second race landed him Canada’s first gold in the 200 meters since 1928. The United States finished 2-3-4, leaving the USA men’s track team still without a gold medal.

Track & Field: USA’s First Men’s Gold Comes in Shot Put

The first gold medal for the men’s track and field team came via shot put on Wednesday with a record-setting outing from Ryan Crouser. Crouser broke his own Olympic record with a 23.30-meter toss that earned him another gold after claiming one in Rio 2016. American Joe Kovacs took the silver.

Weightlifting: Talakhadze Breaks 3 World Records

Georgian weightlifter Lasha Talakhadze shattered all three world records — snatch, clean and jerk and overall —  in the men’s 109kg class yesterday to claim his second gold medal.

Women’s Beach Volleyball: Ross & Klineman Advance to Gold Game

The USA’s April Ross and Alix Klineman swept Switzerland yesterday in women’s beach volleyball (21-12, 21-11) to advance to the gold medal game against either Australia or Latvia Thursday (10:30 pm ET).

Max Scherzer Ks 10 in Los Angeles Debut to Cheers of Wild Dodger Crowd

The boo birds were out again for the visiting Houston Astros at Dodger Stadium on Wednesday, but L.A.’s new pitcher gave the home team plenty to cheer about. Max Scherzer made his first start for the Dodgers after being acquired from the Nationals last week, and Mad Max didn’t waste time. He struck out 10 batters through seven innings in a five-hit, two-run gem. The fans went wild for their newest star as Clayton Kershaw pushed Scherzer back out of the dugout for a curtain call. The Dodgers held on to win (7-5). Mad Max’s arrival in L.A. was one to remember.

Watch: Max Scherzer Ks 10 in Dodgers Debut

MLB Quick-Hitters

Rizzo Makes Yankees History: New Yankee Anthony Rizzo cranked his third home run in six games with New York on Wednesday in a 10-3 win over the Orioles. He’s the first player in Yankees history to register an RBI in his first six games with the club.

Shohei Shines for Halos: Shohei Ohtani struck out six batters in six innings of a four-hit, one-run performance on Wednesday in a 2-1 win over the Rangers. The victory put the Angels back at .500 (54-54).

Baez Slides & Swings: Javier Baez did it all for the Mets last night in Miami. The newly acquired second baseman went 2-for-5 with a highlight reel of plays, including a nifty slide into home and a go-ahead home run in the 8th inning. Mets beat the Marlins, 5-3.

Kemba Walker Heads to the Knicks After Thunder Buyout

Only two big names went off the board in free agency on Wednesday, but a number of top stars remain available. Kemba Walker (Knicks) and Spencer Dinwiddie (Wizards) found new homes while Victor Oladipo (Heat) re-signed with Miami. Things should heat up again as we near the weekend with a few dozen solid contributors still on the market.

NBA Free Agency Tracker

Kemba Walker → Knicks

Contract: TBD After Buyout

Spencer Dinwiddie → Wizards

Contract: 3 Yrs, $60 Million

Top Available Free Agents: Kawhi Leonard, Lauri Markkanen, Kelly Oubre Jr., Paul Millsap, Josh Hart, Dennis Schroder, Reggie Jackson

Additional Storylines

SI: Hawks Extend John Collins for 5 Years, $125 Million

NY Post: Kemba Walker’s Homecoming Has Knicks Fairy Tale Potential

 THE HEADLINES

4-Time All-Star Pitcher Cole Hamels Reaches Deal to Return to Dodgers

(ESPN)

Top High School Basketball Player Emoni Bates to Skip Senior Year of High School

(Yahoo! Sports)

Raiders Sign 6-Time Pro Bowler DT Gerald McCoy

(CBS Sports)

Retired LaMarcus Aldridge ‘Seriously Considering’ NBA Return After Medical Review

(Bleacher Report)

Peacock Gets Exclusive Rights to Air Notre Dame Football’s Home Opener

(NBC Sports)

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