MICHAEL MAROT Sports Writer.

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark looks on from the bench during the first half of a WNBA basketball game against the Dallas Wings Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Fever overcomes Caitlin Clark’s absence and 3 season-ending injuries to stay in WNBA playoff hunt

The Indiana Fever have overcome a barrage of critical injuries to stay in the WNBA playoff hunt. An injured right groin and subsequent bone bruise suffered while recovering have kept two-time All-Star guard Caitlin Clark out since July 15, and there’s still no timetable for her return. Backup guards Aari McDonald and Sydney Colson had season-ending injuries in the same game, Aug. 7 at Phoenix. Then Sunday, guard Sophie Cunningham sustained a season-ending knee injury. Still, with nine regular season games remaining, the resilient Fever are somehow still in playoff position.

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FILE- Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle calls out from the bench against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first half of Game 4 in the Eastern Conference semifinals of the NBA basketball playoffs in Indianapolis, Sunday, May 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)

Indiana Pacers reward coach Rick Carlisle for NBA Finals run with mulityear contract extension

The Indiana Pacers rewarded coach Rick Carlisle with a multiyear contract extension Tuesday following the team’s surprising run to the NBA Finals. Team officials made the announcement about one month before the Pacers open training camp. The Pacers provided no additional details about contract terms. Carlisle enters this season needing seven wins to become the 11th coach in league history with 1,000 career wins. His 555 career wins with Dallas are a franchise record and his 338 wins with the Pacers are the most in the franchise’s NBA history. He also served as an assistant on Larry Bird’s coaching staff in 1999-2000 — the only other time Indiana reached the Finals.

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Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (17) throws during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Colts name Daniel Jones the opening-day starting quarterback over Anthony Richardson

Indianapolis Colts coach Shane Steichen says he has selected Daniel Jones as his starting quarterback over Anthony Richardson. Steichen said Tuesday the decision was based in part on consistency and accuracy and that Jones would be the starter for the season, noting that Richardson is just one play away from being needed. Jones reclaims the starting job he lost with the New York Giants last season. He asked for and was granted his release during the season, signed with the Minnesota Vikings and then joined the Colts as a free agent in the offseason.

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Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr. (5) is sacked by Baltimore Ravens linebacker David Ojabo (90) during the firs half of an NFL preseason football game Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Colts QB Anthony Richardson is day-to-day after injuring finger, AP source says

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson is considered day-to-day with a dislocated pinkie. That’s according to a person with knowledge of the injury who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Friday because the team hadn’t yet made an official statement. It’s unclear when Richardson will practice next. Indy did not hold practice Friday and is scheduled to do so Saturday. Richardson was injured on the second possession of the Colts’ preseason game against the Ravens on Thursday night. In other injury news, the Colts closed the day by making a series of moves including placing running back Salvon Ahmed and cornerback Justin Walley on the season-ending injured reserve list.

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FILE - Indianapolis Colts running back Salvon Ahmed (36) runs a drill during practice at the NFL football team's training camp in Westfield, Ind., July 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, file)

Colts backup running back Salvon Ahmed carted off the field with right leg injury

Indianapolis Colts backup running back Salvon Ahmed was carted off the field near the end of Sunday’s practice with a severe injury to his right leg. He was injured on a tackle by Trey Washington in the end zone. Ahmed screamed as each Colts player took a knee. They later gathered around Ahmed as he was being placed on a stretcher. Ahmed is a five-year veteran who spent last season on Indy’s practice squad.

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Bubba Wallace reacts after winning a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Sunday, July 27, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

Bubba Wallace overcame questions and doubts to end 3-year drought with 1st Brickyard 400 win

Bubba Wallace spent three long years questioning everything about his racing world. He saw teammate Tyler Reddick win five times and post three top 10 finishes in NASCAR’s final standings while Wallace endured a 100-race winless streak. He also watched team co-owner Denny Hamlin make regular trips to victory lane while still chasing his elusive Cup title. The drought forced Wallace to contemplate what was wrong and whether he’d continue to be employed in racing. Then he realized there was more to life than racing and everything changed, including a life-altering Brickyard 400 victory Sunday.

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Kyle Larson (5) drives while followed by Chase Elliott (9) during a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Sonoma Raceway, Sunday, July 13, 2025, in Sonoma, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Defending champ Kyle Larson returns to Brickyard seeking turnaround

Kyle Larson raced to his third NASCAR Cup victory of the season at Kansas in mid-May then turned his attention to his second and perhaps final attempt at racing’s double — completing all 1,100 miles of the Indianapolis 500 and Coca-Cola 600 on the same day. Instead, he was hit with a double whammy. A crash on Lap 92 knocked him out of the 500, relegating him to 24th, and two crashes — the second on Lap 245 — knocked him out in Charlotte, where he finished 37th. Not much has gone right for Lason since then. Now, the defending Brickyard 400 champion is back at Indianapolis Motor Speedway trying to recharge his season.

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Indiana Fever's Caitlin Clark watches following a WNBA All-Star basketball game against Team Collier, Saturday, July 19, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Caitlin Clark still has no timetable for return following further medical evaluation this week

The Indiana Fever say guard Caitlin Clark still has no time table to return. No further injuries were discovered during medical tests this week. Clark has missed three games since injuring her right groin July 15 against the Connecticut Sun. She traveled with her team to New York for their loss to the Liberty on Tuesday night. The Fever say Clark is continuing to work with team medical staff on her recovery and rehabilitation. Clark’s current injury is the latest in a string of difficulties for the Fever star, which has included a left groin injury and a left quad strain earlier in the season.

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Indiana Fever's Caitlin Clark sits on the bench after an apparent injury during the second half of a WNBA basketball game against the Connecticut Sun, Tuesday, July 15, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

Uncertainty continues for Fever and Caitlin Clark as her healthy teammates carry their playoff hopes

The Indiana Fever thought Caitlin Clark’s return might solve their wild first-half ride. They were getting healthy, beating good teams and starting to meet expectations. Then the two-time All-Star got hurt again in the final minute of last Tuesday’s game at Connecticut. Indiana lost by double digits the next night to defending champion New York. Clark missed last weekend’s All-Star festivities in Indianapolis and is likely to sit out Tuesday night when the Fever again play the Liberty. It’s all creating uncertainty about Clark and Indiana’s championship aspirations.

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Indiana Fever's Kelsey Mitchell (0) drives past New York Liberty's Isabelle Harrison during the second half of a WNBA basketball game Wednesday, July 16, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Playing the All-Star Game at home creates special feeling for Kelsey Mitchell, Indiana Fever players

Indiana Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell spent last week tamping down the All-Star excitement. First, she had to play some crucial games. She finally had a chance Friday to show how she felt about playing Saturday’s game on her home court. Her eyes opened wide, the trademark grin stretched across her face and the words started flying out of her mouth. Not all home All-Star Games are created equal. Just ask some of the players who’ve been there and done that. But for the eight-year veteran who finally made her first playoff appearance last year, this one will be special.

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FILE - Indiana Fever's Caitlin Clark watches as players warm up before a WNBA basketball game between the New York Liberty and the Fever Wednesday, July 16, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II, File)

Caitlin Clark is still having an impact on WNBA All-Star Game even though she won’t play

Caitlin Clark bounced a ball, joined a team huddle and gave one of her All-Star teammate’s shots a playful thumbs down before gingerly lobbing her own half-court heave Friday. It may be the most demanding action anyone sees out of Clark this weekend in Indianapolis. Nobody envisioned the Indiana Fever’s biggest star missing the All-Star festivities with another injury. But even as Clark sits this one out, she remains the center of attention. From the 30-story, larger-than-life image covering Indianapolis’ JW Marriott Hotel to the wraps around the city’s maze of skywalks, Clarks seems every bit as in demand — maybe even more — than any other All-Star.

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Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) falls to the court with an injury during the first half of Game 7 of the NBA Finals basketball series against the Oklahoma City Thunder Sunday, June 22, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)

NBA players seem to tear their Achilles more frequently nowadays. Why is that?

Kevin Durant and Tyrese Haliburton entered their respective NBA Finals elimination games with strained right calves. Each wound up leaving early with torn right Achilles tendons. Durant missed the whole next season as he recovered from the injury. Now Haliburton, the Indiana Pacers star, could face a similar fate. Predictable? Perhaps. Both knew the risks when they opted to chase a championship, and both wound up paying the price when their tendons gave out on pro basketball’s biggest stage. But Haliburton has one big advantage — he’s only 25 years old.

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Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton reacts after scoring during the first half of Game 7 of the NBA Finals basketball series against the Oklahoma City Thunder Sunday, June 22, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Pacers’ Tyrese Haliburton after surgery to repair torn Achilles tendon: ‘I’d do it again’

Tyrese Haliburton has no regrets about trying to lead the Indiana Pacers to the franchise’s first NBA title, even though his decision to play hurt ended in agony when he tore his right Achilles tendon early in Game 7. The team announced the injury on Monday and Haliburton confirmed it in a social media post. It was a sad ending to Haliburton’s historic postseason run, which included a litany of incredible plays, buzzer-beating winners and occasionally unprecedented stat lines. And now he may miss all of next season. Haliburton says, “I’d do it again, and again after that, to fight for this city and my brothers.”

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Indiana Pacers fans react during the second half of Game 7 of the NBA Finals basketball series against the Oklahoma City Thunder Sunday, June 22, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)

No ‘Cers: Indiana fans left gasping as Haliburton’s injury dooms title hopes in Game 7 loss

Indiana Pacers fans arrived at Gainbridge Fieldhouse ready to celebrate their first NBA title. Seven minutes into the game came the hush. As star point guard Tyrese Haliburton fell to the floor in Oklahoma City on Sunday night with what his father, John, later called an Achilles tendon injury, fans gasped as the replay was shown and they saw the anguished look on John Haliburton’s face. The moment may go down as another cruel chapter in the franchise’s long, painful history. Pacers play-by-play announcer Chris Denari told the crowd that Haliburton would want the team to continue to fight.

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Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard (2) rebounds over Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort during the second half of Game 6 of the NBA Finals basketball series, Thursday, June 19, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Pacers avoid 2nd straight home-court playoff exit, routing Thunder to force Game 7

The Indiana Pacers did not let another home-court opportunity slip away Thursday night. Not with a raucous crowd on its feet almost from start to finish, not with Reggie Miller and nearly a dozen former Pacers cheering them on and certainly not with the first NBA title in franchise just two wins away. So the Pacers dug down, fought through injuries and finally played their way. They knocked down 3-pointers, forced turnovers and had the heavily gold-clad crowd doing high-fives between the third and fourth quarters as Indiana extended its season with a 108-91 victory over the the Oklahoma City Thunder. The winner-take-all Game 7 is Sunday night in Oklahoma City

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New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11), forward OG Anunoby (8), center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) and guard Cameron Payne (1) react during the fourth quarter of Game 5 of the NBA basketball Eastern Conference finals against the Indiana Pacers, Thursday, May 29, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Pacers try to wrap up Eastern Conference finals at home after blowing chance against Knicks on road

The Indiana Pacers wasted one chance to wrap up the Eastern Conference finals. They don’t intend to let it happen again. On Saturday, two days after an uncharacteristically poor performance on the road, the Pacers will get a second shot to clinch a rare NBA Finals appearance, this time at home against the New York Knicks. The Pacers still lead the series 3-2 after Thursday’s demoralizing 111-94 loss. New York will need another strong defensive effort to slow down Tyrese Haliburton and the high-scoring Pacers to extend the series by forcing Game 7 at Madison Square Garden.

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John Halliburton, father of Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton, raises his hands from a suite before Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals of the NBA basketball playoffs against the New York Knicks in Indianapolis, Tuesday, May 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Haliburton welcomes back his father with historic performance in Pacers win

Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton didn’t get any pregame hugs or handshakes from his father, John, Tuesday night for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals. At least not on the court. But the fact that the elder Haliburton was back in the arena — albeit in an upstairs suite instead of a courtside seat — still felt like a win for the two-time All-Star and the Pacers. John Haliburton was forced to watch Indiana’s previous eight postseason games from afar after he ran onto the court and confronted Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo following his son’s last-second shot to eliminate Milwaukee for the second straight year.

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Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) celebrates the team's win after Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals of the NBA basketball playoffs against the New York Knicks in Indianapolis, Tuesday, May 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Haliburton has 32 points, 15 assists and 12 rebounds as Pacers beat Knicks 130-121 for a 3-1 lead

Tyrese Haliburton had 32 points, 15 assists and 12 rebounds without a turnover in a sensational postseason performance to lead the Indiana Pacers past the New York Knicks 130-121 on Tuesday night for a 3-1 lead in the Eastern Conference finals. With his father, John, back in Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Haliburton carried the Pacers to within a victory of their second trip to the NBA Finals. Game 5 is Thursday in New York. Pascal Siakam added 30 points while Haliburton had four steals in his second career postseason triple-double. Obi Toppin’s 3-pointer with 46 seconds left sealed it. The Pacers have not lost consecutive games since March 10.

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Fans waive during parade laps before the start of the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Sunday, May 25, 2025. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)

Indianapolis 500 fans double up with split loyalties to Pacers, race day traditions

Austin Pettijohn came to Sunday’s Indianapolis 500 dressed appropriately — in checkered flag shorts and an Indiana Pacers jersey. For the 32-year-old from nearby Franklin, Indiana, it just meshed. It also meshed with many others in the colorful race-day crowd. As Indianapolis Motor Speedway swung into high gear, blue-and-gold Pacers jerseys and other team regalia could be found almost anywhere one looked as the trackside sounds and smells wafted through the infield — hours before the Pacers hosted the New York Knicks for Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals.

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New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) reacts after scoring against the Indiana Pacers during the second half of Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals of the NBA basketball playoffs Sunday, May 25, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Knicks charge back from 20 points down, beat Pacers 106-100 to cut series deficit to 2-1

Karl-Anthony Towns scored 20 of his 24 points in the fourth quarter Sunday as the New York Knicks rallied from 20 points down to beat the Indiana Pacers 106-100 in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals. Jalen Brunson added 23 points and Towns had 15 rebounds as the Knicks cut the series deficit to 2-1. Game 4 will be played Tuesday night in Indianapolis. Tyrese Haliburton led the Pacers with 20 points and six assists. Indiana dropped to 0-4 all-time playing on the same day the Indianapolis 500 was held.

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A house near the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is decked out in race gear for Sunday's Indianapolis 500 on Friday, May 23, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Mike Marot)

Indianapolis celebrates an epic sports weekend with Pacers, Fever and the Indy 500

Indianapolis has an incredible weekend of sports on deck. Caitlin Clark and the Fever host the WNBA champion New York Liberty on Saturday. On Sunday, the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 starts not long after noon. And Sunday night, the Indiana Pacers host the New York Knicks in Game 3 of their Eastern Conference Final playoff series. The “Racing Capital of the World” is happily sharing  the Memorial Day weekend stage with basketball.

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FILE - Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay raises the Vince Lombardi trophy during a rally in Indianapolis, Monday, Feb. 5, 2007. The Colts defeated the Chicago Bears to win Super Bowl XLI. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File)

Jim Irsay’s impact can be felt all around Indianapolis as city celebrates big sports weekend

Mark Miles sees Jim Irsay’s influence everywhere in downtown Indianapolis, from the trademark sports facilities to the towering J.W. Marriott hotel to the Pan Am Plaza currently under construction. He’s not sure any of it could have happened without the assistance of the longtime Colts owner who helped the city shed its image as Indiana No Place and emerge as Indiana Some Place. This weekend Indy takes on a new role as the center of a jam-packed Memorial Day sports weekend. Irsay’s presence will be felt in the bustling downtown he helped create.

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Indianapolis Colts’ music-loving owner Jim Irsay dies at age 65

Jim Irsay, the Indianapolis Colts’ owner who leveraged the popularity of Peyton Manning into a new stadium and a Super Bowl title, died Wednesday at age 65. Pete Ward, Irsay’s longtime right-hand man and the teams chief operating officer, made the announcement in a statement from the team. He said Irsay died peacefully in his sleep. “Jim’s dedication and passion for the Indianapolis Colts in addition to his generosity, commitment to the community, and most importantly, his love for his family were unsurpassed,” Ward said. “Our deepest sympathies go to his daughters, Carlie Irsay-Gordon, Casey Foyt, Kalen Jackson, and his entire family as we grieve with them.”

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