Sky, Chatman part ways
The Sky announced Friday that coach and general manager Pokey Chatman won’t be retained for next season. The Sky compiled a 106- 98 record in six seasons under her direction.
‘‘ I have great appreciation and gratitude for the leadership Pokey brought to our franchise,’’ Sky owner
Michael Alter said. ‘‘ She took a perennial non- playoff team and made us a contender. . . . I’m thankful we had the opportunity to work together closely for the past six years, and I wish her well in her future endeavors.’’
Chatman’s tenure was highlighted by two important firsts for the Sky: their first playoff appearance in 2013 and their first trip to the WNBA Finals in 2014.
‘‘ I want to thank the incredible fans of Chicago, my staff and all of the players for their hard work and dedication,’’ Chatman said. ‘‘ I am proud of what we were able to accomplish and appreciative of the opportunity given to me by Michael Alter.’’
Sox claim OF off waivers
The White Sox claimed 25- year- old outfielder
Rymer Liriano, who missed the 2016 season after being hit in the face by a pitch and suffering multiple facial fractures during spring training, off waivers fromthe Milwaukee Brewers.
Liriano played in 38 games with the San Diego Padres in 2014, his only season in the majors, and batted .220 with one home run and six RBI. He batted .292 with 14 homers, 64 RBI and a .383 on- base percentage for Class AAA El Paso in 2015.
76ers sorry for anthem flap
The Philadelphia 76ers apologized for canceling the national- anthem performance of a singer wearing a ‘‘ We Matter’’ jersey and invited her back to perform it at a game of her choice.
The 76ers backtracked from their original stance Wednesday,, when they told
Sevyn Streeter she couldn’t perform the anthem because of the slogan on the jersey. † Russell Wesbrook scored 51 points, grabbed 13 rebounds and handed out 10 assists to carry the host Oklahoma City Thunder to a 113- 110 victory against the Phoenix Suns.
Bruins F gets 2- game ban
The NHL suspended Boston Bruins forward David
Pastrnak for two games without pay for an illegal check to the head of New York Rangers defenseman Dan Girardi on Wednesday.
† Jake Dowell scored the tiebreaking goal late in the second period to lift the Rockford Ice Hogs to a 3- 2 victory against the visiting Wolves ( 2- 4- 0- 0) in American Hockey League action.
Matsuyama in lead
Hideki Matsuyama made nine birdies on his way to a 7- under- par 65 and opened a three- stroke lead over defending champion
Russell Knox and Bill Haas after the second round of the HSBC Champions tournament in Shanghai. Matsuyama completed 36 holes at 13- under 131.