Record-Breaking WNBA Viewership and Exciting Sports Updates!

The Indiana Fever's win over the Chicago Sky attracted WNBA's highest ratings in 23 years. Other top sports news includes Eric Tulsky becoming the Hurricanes' GM, Max Scherzer's potential return to the Texas Rangers, and Jeff Van Gundy joining the Clippers' coaching staff.

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.

Sky-Fever matchup draws WNBA's highest ratings in 23 years

The Indiana Fever's 91-83 victory over the visiting Chicago Sky on Sunday was the WNBA's most-watched game in 23 years, CBS announced on Tuesday. The game featured 2024 No. 1 overall pick Caitlin Clark of the Fever and No. 7 overall pick Angel Reese of the Sky. The contest averaged 2.25 million viewers, a 225 percent increase over a comparable game window last season between the Phoenix Mercury and New York Liberty.

Hurricanes promote Eric Tulsky to general manager

Eric Tulsky was named the fourth general manager of the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday and 10th in franchise history. Tulsky has served as the team's assistant general manager since 2020 and held the position on an interim basis since Don Waddell resigned on May 24. Waddell joined the Columbus Blue Jackets four days later as their president of hockey operations and general manager.

Rehabbing Max Scherzer's next start could be with Rangers

The reigning World Series champion Texas Rangers began Monday lagging 8 1/2 games out of the lead in the American League West, but they have three notable players on rehab assignments, and hopeful news about a fourth. Max Scherzer, the three-time Cy Young Award winner whom Texas acquired during last season, has made three starts totaling 11 innings for Triple-A Round Rock, and Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said Monday that the right-hander's next start could come in the majors.

Report: Jeff Van Gundy to join Clippers coaching staff

Jeff Van Gundy has agreed to terms to become the lead assistant on the Los Angeles Clippers' coaching staff, ESPN reported on Tuesday morning. Van Gundy, 62, spent last season as a consultant for the Boston Celtics, who captured their 18th championship in franchise history on Monday. He served as a television analyst for ESPN over the previous 16 seasons.

Olympics-Scheffler heads star-studded U.S. quartet for Paris golf

World number one Scottie Scheffler will lead a heavyweight U.S. presence at the men's 2024 Olympics golf in a quartet featuring defending champion Xander Schauffele and two-time major winner Collin Morikawa who squeezed through the qualifying race. The United States was the only country to clinch the maximum possible four spots in the 60-strong list unveiled on Tuesday by the International Golf Federation for the men's contest on Aug. 1-4 at Le Golf National, the venue south of Paris that hosted the Ryder Cup in 2018.

Lions sign UFL K Jake Bates

The Detroit Lions signed Jake Bates from the United Football League and waived fellow kicker James Turner on Tuesday. Bates spent the spring with the Michigan Panthers and made 21 of 28 field goals, including a 64-yard attempt and two others of at least 60 yards. He also made visits to the Washington Commanders and Green Bay Packers but chose to say in Detroit, where he kicked at Ford Field for the Panthers.

Mookie Betts' injury swings NL MVP futures

Mookie Betts' fractured left hand did more than rob the Los Angeles Dodgers of their star shortstop for an undetermined amount of time, it had a massive impact on the National League Most Valuable Player race as well. Betts, 31, had been among the favorites at sportsbooks ahead of the injury. In addition to a .304 batting average, he leads the Dodgers in on-base percentage (.405), hits (86), at-bats (283), triples (three) and walks (47) in 72 games. He also has 10 home runs and 40 RBIs in a National League-high 331 plate appearances.

Swimming-Murphy eyes return to top of the podium in Paris

Ryan Murphy said his desire to regain his Olympic 100m backstroke title burns hotter than ever after he punched his ticket to the Paris Games on Monday. The 28-year-old set an Olympic record when he took gold at Rio 2016 but could do no better than bronze in the event in Tokyo in 2021.

MLB roundup: Pirates' Paul Skenes stars again in win over Reds

Rookie Paul Skenes was at it again for the Pittsburgh Pirates, tossing six strong innings in a 4-1 win over the visiting Cincinnati Reds on Monday to open a three-game series. Skenes (4-0) allowed one run on six hits with one walk and seven strikeouts. Aroldis Chapman and Colin Holderman each pitched a scoreless inning before David Bednar retired the Reds in order in the ninth for his 15th save.

Celtics' Kristaps Porzingis to have surgery on ailing leg

Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis told ESPN that he will undergo surgery on his left leg and expects a recovery process of a "few months." Porzingis suffered a torn medial retinaculum allowing dislocation of the posterior tibialis tendon in Game 2 of the NBA Finals. He sat out Games 3 and 4 in Dallas and returned to record five points and one rebound in 16 minutes in the Celtics' 106-88 championship-clinching victory over the Mavericks on Monday.

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