Serbia almost did it. In the end, the USA just had more firepower — it’s tough to outgun Joel Embiid, LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry. France versus USA should be electric, especially with the game being played in Paris, but yesterday was the game to beat the Americans, not tomorrow. USA by double digits over Victor Wembanyama-led France.

NFL

Saints sign LB Pete Werner to three-year, $25 million contract extension

Werner is a solid linebacker, but this extension is a bet on the 25-year-old continuing to improve, as it places him near the top 10 of earners per year at the position. In 2023, Werner tallied 93 tackles and one interception. The Saints are taking a good gamble on the all-around defender.

Grade: B-

Falcons WR Rondale Moore out for season with knee injury

Atlanta obtained Moore this offseason from the Cardinals for Desmond Ridder, surely hoping to unlock more of the 24-year-old’s explosiveness. With just 1,201 receiving yards through three seasons, Moore’s career now may never get fully off the ground — a shame considering the performance he had at Purdue that made him a second-round selection in 2021.

MLB

White Sox fire manager Pedro Grifol

Grifol didn’t walk into a great situation — the White Sox finished 81-81 in 2022 — but he’s partly responsible for turning an average team into an all-time bad team. After finishing 61-101 in 2023 and starting 28-89 this year, Chicago had no choice but to terminate Grifol. The only question was whether to pull the plug now or at the end of this season. Chris Getz is making the right decision by firing Grifol now.

Grade: A

Brewers 16, Braves 7

It’s scary how good Jackson Chourio already is at 20. The Milwaukee corner outfielder wasn’t his best self coming out of the gates — his OPS was a paltry .581 at the end of May — but he’s been roaring since, and consequently, the Brewers might run away with the NL Central. Chourio went 3-for-5 with two home runs and four RBI in this victory.

The Braves, losers of five straight, have problems all over, so the last thing Brian Snitker needs is for Charlie Morton to fall apart. The 40-year-old was awful yesterday, getting bombed for eight earned runs over just 2 2/3 innings. Atlanta missing the postseason would’ve been unthinkable prior to the start of the season, but it’s a realistic outcome at this juncture for the 60-54 ballclub.

Giants 9, Nationals 5

Mark Canha was a sneaky acquisition by the Giants at the deadline, and he was important for San Francisco yesterday, registering four hits and two RBIs. The 59-58 Giants are healthy and coming, whether the rest of the National League likes it or not.

Padres 7, Pirates 6

Pittsburgh (wisely) didn’t truly go all-in at the trade deadline, and it’s paying the price for it. The 56-58 Pirates have now dropped four in a row, fading into the background of the NL wild-card chase. It would help matters if Michael Taylor gave Pittsburgh anything at the plate, but he simply hasn’t. Taylor went 0-for-3 in this defeat, dropping his average to .196.