WNBA: Refs made key error in Game 5
Ogwumike’s shot with 1:14 left shouldn’t have counted, league says
For the second time in a week during the WNBA Finals, the league acknowledged a late officiating mistake. The WNBA said the officials missed a shot clock violation in the deciding Game 5 on Thursday night in which the Los Angeles Sparks beat the defending champion Minnesota Lynx 77-76.
“After reviewing postgame video, we have determined that Nneka Ogwumike’s shot with 1:14 remaining in regulation time should not have counted due to a shot-clock violation, and that the referees improperly failed to review the play under the instant replay rules,” Renee Brown, WNBA chief of basketball operations and player relations, said Friday.
Ogwumike’s jumper with 3.1 seconds left, off the rebound of her blocked shot, won it for the Sparks.
The league earlier admitted a mistake after officials missed an 8-second backcourt violation that benefited Minnesota late in Game 4.
The Lynx scored on that possession for a four-point lead with 12.5 seconds left and won 85-79. Minnesota coach Cheryl Reeve was angry Thursday about both missed calls, saying said the league needed to do more than just apologize and “send a memo.”
A woman performing n the national anthem before an NBA preseason game in Miami did so while kneeling at midcourt, and opening her jacket to show a shirt with the phrase “Black Lives Matter.”
The singer was identified as Denasia Lawrence. It was unclear if she remained in the arena after the performance
San Antonio guard n Danny Green will miss three weeks after straining his left quadriceps.
The Philadelphia 76ers n say forward Nerlens Noel will need surgery on his left knee.
Figure skating
American Ashley Wagner won the Progressive Skate America short program Friday night with a score of 69.50, building on her second-place finish in the world championships.
Japan’s Mai Mihara, making her Grand Prix Series debut at 17, was second at 65.75, and U.S. champion Gracie Gold third at 64.87.
The free skate will determine the champion Saturday at Sears Centre Arena.
Motor sports
Formula One championship leader Nico Rosberg put more pressure on Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton by posting the fastest lap in practice sessions at the U.S. Grand Prix in Austin, Texas. Hamilton trails Rosberg by 33 points heading into the final four races, starting Sunday.
Golf
Justin Thomas had a 6-under 66 to take a twostroke lead halfway through the CIMB Classic in Malaysia, staying within striking distance of the tournament record he set in winning the title here last year. He started the second round in a three-way tie after opening with a 64, and followed up with six birdies to move to 14 under.
Minjee Lee patiently n navigated Jian Lake’s undulating greens again to stretch her lead to six strokes in the Blue Bay LPGA in China. The 20-year-old Australian followed her opening 7-under 65 with a bogey-free 67.
Soccer
Having fully recovered from a groin injury, Barcelona star Lionel Messi was named in Argentina’s squad to face Brazil and Colombia in the next round of World Cup qualifiers.