Ex-coach Clifford to return to Hornets

A person familiar with the situation said Steve Clifford has agreed to a multiyear contract to return as head coach of the Charlotte Hornets.

Charlotte previously agreed to terms on a four-year contract with Warriors assistant Kenny Atkinson to become head coach, but Atkinson later informed the team he was not taking the job.

Clifford, 60, spent five seasons coaching the Hornets, compiling a 196-214 record with a team that included Kemba Walker. He led the Hornets to two playoff appearances prior to being fired in 2018 when Mitch Kupchak arrived as general manager. Clifford coached the Magic from 2018-21 and consulted last season for the Brooklyn Nets.

⏩ The Minnesota Timberwolves added 7-foot-1 Auburn center Walker Kessler in a draft pick swap that netted them an additional first-rounder that became Duke forward Wendell Moore Jr.

⏩ The Dallas Mavericks traded for G League player Jaden Hardy after the Kings drafted him 37th. The Mavs sent 2024 and 2028 second-rounders to the Kings.

⏩ The Memphis Grizzlies sent guard De’Anthony Melton to the Philadelphia 76ers for the draft rights to forward David Roddy and wing Danny Green.

⏩ Five-star recruit Matas Buzelis, a 6-foot-9 wing from Chicago, committed to the G League Ignite, the team based in Walnut Creek. He picked the NBA developmental path over Kentucky,

Florida State, North Carolina and Wake Forest.

Baseball: Texas infielder Ivan Melendez won the Golden Spikes Award as the nation’s top amateur player. He led the U.S. with 32 homers and 94 RBIs.

WNBA: Sabrina Ionescu scored 21 points, Natasha Howard had 19 and Marine Johannes added 17 as the visiting New York Liberty beat the Atlanta Dream 89-77. The Liberty (8-10) made 16 3pointers, five each by Ionescu and Johannes.

MLS: The California Clasico featuring the Earthquakes and LA Galaxy at Stanford Stadium, to be played Saturday, was rescheduled to Sept. 24 due to power outages caused by the nearby Edgewood Fire. Tickets will carry over to the future date.