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Steve Ballmer is out, at least for now. The NBA has suspended the Los Angeles Clippers governor for one full year following an investigation into salary cap circumvention connected to the Kawhi Leonard deal. In his place, Los Angeles-based trial lawyer John Gibson steps in as interim governor while the league's punishment plays out.
Shifting to the ice, Washington Capitals fans are holding their breath with the season opener less than two weeks away. Alex Ovechkin is listed as day to day with a lower-body injury, and while that designation leaves room for optimism, any time the franchise cornerstone is banged up this close to puck drop, the stakes feel real.
And in NASCAR, the Chase is getting tight and uncomfortable for Ryan Blaney. Blaney himself said finishing outside the top thirty multiple times would effectively end a championship run, and then three days later he crossed the line in thirty-third at Bristol Motor Speedway. That is two consecutive rough outings, and Kyle Larson and Joey Logano are climbing. The window is narrowing fast.
That's your play-by-play. Sports Desk, back to the booth.
