MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Julius Randle had 32 points and 10 rebounds and the Minnesota Timberwolves held off a late rally by the Washington Wizards for a 120-109 victory on Wednesday night. The Timberwolves, who have won six of their last seven games, were without forward Jaden McDaniels, who has a sprained left wrist and missed his first game in nearly two years. Naz Reid had 28 points off the bench. Kyshawn George had 23 points for the Wizards, who have lost 12 straight.
(Milwaukee, WI) — The Bucks are facing a big challenge with top scorer Giannis Antetokounmpo out for at least a week and maybe two. Analytics show Milwaukee is the weakest team in the NBA when its superstar isn’t playing. In recent years, there was always somebody to carry the load while he recovered, but players like Damian Lillard or Khris Middleton have moved on. The Bucks have already won one game without Antetokounmpo, but doing that again will be a challenge.
Milwaukee hosts the Philadelphia 76ers tonight.
Pregame at 6:30pm. Tipoff at 7pm on AM1240 & 96.5FM
(Milwaukee, WI) — For the second straight game, Marquette suffered a non-conference loss after a weak finishing result. Dayton upset the Golden Eagles Wednesday night, 77-71. The Flyers had led most of the game, but the score was tied at 68-all. Nigel James led the scoring with 18, and Chase Ross had 15. Marquette hit only 38 percent of its shots and was 9-of-31 on 3-pointers. Coach Shaka Smart’s team stays at home to play Central Michigan Saturday.
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Jesper Wallstedt stopped a career-high 42 shots and three more in a shootout, Matt Boldy scored in regulation and had the lone goal in the tiebreaker in the Minnesota Wild’s 4-3 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes on Wednesday night. The Hurricanes outshot Minnesota 45-18 and scored with 1:06 left with their net empty to force overtime. But Wallstedt’s third great showing in a row and 24 blocked shots helped the Wild improve to 5-0-1 in their past six games. Jackson Blake scored twice for the Hurricanes, including late from the crease on a stuff-in that barely crossed the goal line and had to be reviewed. The Fargo, North Dakota, native had two more chances in overtime, including a breakaway.
(Green Bay, WI) — Packers quarterback Jordan Love was back to a full participant in Wednesday’s practice, but everyone in the receiver room is dealing with injuries. Rookie Savion Williams was the only pass catcher who didn’t practice, but Romeo Doubs, Matthew Golden, Christian Watson, and Dontayvion Wicks were all limited. Running back Josh Jacobs is listed as day-to-day by coach Matt LaFleur, and a total of 17 Green Bay players have their names on the injury report. The Vikings’ injury report includes only five players.
EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — The effectiveness of Minnesota’s running game last week provided a blueprint for coach Kevin O’Connell as he tries to balance quarterback J.J. McCarthy’s development with a playbook predicated on a downfield passing attack. McCarthy was struggling enough in the loss to Chicago that O’Connell uncharacteristically called consecutive runs in the fourth quarter after the Vikings took possession at the 24-yard line. Jordan Mason reached the end zone with just two handoffs. Aaron Jones also had a season-high 16 carries for 70 yards in the game. He’s eager to play his former team in Green Bay at Lambeau Field this week.
(Williamsport, PA) — For the first time, the Milwaukee Brewers are scheduled to play in the annual MLB/Little League Baseball Classic. The game against the Atlanta Braves will be played August 23rd at the historic Bowman Field. The Little League Classic was first played in 2017. Ten US and 10 international Little League teams will battle it out for the world championship between August 19th and the 30th.