Sports Highlights: Record WNBA Attendance, Commanders Kicker Pays, Celtics Shine

The sports world is buzzing with news from various leagues. The WNBA recorded its highest opening month attendance in 26 years. Kicker Brandon McManus receives his signing bonus from the Commanders despite being released. Celtics continue their strong performance in the NBA Finals, and much more.

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.

WNBA opens with highest attendance in 26 years

The WNBA registered its highest attendance in 26 years for an opening month to the season as well as its most-watched start. The league announced Monday that 400,000 fans attended games since the season tipped off on May 14 through the end of the month, its highest since nearly the league's inception; the WNBA began play in 1997. Further, more than half of all WNBA games were sellouts, which is a 156 percent increase year over year, according to the release.

Report: Commanders pay Brandon McManus rest of signing bonus

The Washington Commanders paid kicker Brandon McManus the other half of his signing bonus despite releasing him, Pro Football Talk reported Monday. The team paid McManus the first 50 percent of the $1.5 million bonus at signing, with the other half due Friday. However, the team released him in the aftermath of a civil lawsuit that was filed against him for an alleged incident while the kicker was with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Report: Darvin Ham returning to Bucks as top assistant

Fired Los Angeles Lakers head coach Darvin Ham is returning to the Milwaukee Bucks as the top assistant coach on Doc Rivers' staff, ESPN reported Monday. Ham, 50, spent 11 seasons as an assistant coach, including four with the Bucks, before the Lakers gave him his first head coaching job ahead of the 2022-23 season.

Top-dog status not a concern to team-first Celtics

BOSTON -- Prior to the Celtics' 105-98 victory over the Mavericks in Game 2 of the NBA Finals on Sunday, Dallas coach Jason Kidd seemingly tried to pit Boston stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown against each other. Speaking to reporters Saturday, Kidd referred to Brown as the Celtics' best player. Both Brown and Tatum were unfazed by the remark, but it later became evident that Boston coach Joe Mazzulla took it to heart.

Golf-Clark hopes to jump-start sluggish season at U.S. Open

Wyndham Clark is frustrated with the state of his game and just looking to produce four solid rounds when he starts his U.S. Open defence this week at Pinehurst Resort in North Carolina. The American was the major tournament's surprise winner last year when he held off Rory McIlroy on the back nine for a one-stroke victory at Los Angeles Country Club.

Bears bring back TE Marcedes Lewis, 40

The Chicago Bears are bringing back Marcedes Lewis on a one-year deal, setting him up to be the oldest tight end in NFL history. Financial terms were not announced for Lewis, who turned 40 last month. The 2024 season will be his 19th in the league. At 268 games, Lewis ranks third all-time among TEs in career games played, trailing Jason Witten (271) and Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez (270).

Olympics-Lee's performance at U.S. Championships lifted by Biles pep talk

Sunisa Lee thought her chances of making the U.S. team for the Paris Olympics had crumbled after an awful vault at the national championships earlier this month but some words of encouragement from team mate Simone Biles helped to turn her meet around. Since winning gold in the all-around at the Tokyo Olympics Lee has spent time sidelined with kidney illnesses and needed a strong performance at the pressure packed competition to stay in the running for the five-person Paris squad.

Steelers sign coach Mike Tomlin to 3-year extension

The Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday signed head coach Mike Tomlin to a three-year extension, keeping him on the sidelines through the 2027 season. Financial terms were not disclosed by the team. Tomlin was entering the final year of his contract.

Jrue Holiday, Celtics take 2-0 NBA Finals lead over Mavs

BOSTON -- Although he considers himself part of the supporting cast, Boston Celtics guard Jrue Holiday looked like a star on Sunday night. Holiday racked up team highs in points with 26 and rebounds with 11, leading Boston to a 105-98 victory over the Dallas Mavericks in Game 2 of the NBA Finals.

NBA-Hurley turns down Lakers offer to stay with Connecticut - reports

Dan Hurley has rejected a Los Angeles Lakers offer to become their next head coach in favor of chasing a third straight national title with the University of Connecticut, multiple media outlets reported on Monday. The Lakers offer was reportedly a six-year, $70 million contract to lead the team and their stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)