Updated: September 30, 2022
Wizards sign Ron Baker, waive Okaro White
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Washington Wizards have signed free-agent guard Ron Baker.
The Wizards also announced Friday they waived forward Okaro White.
Baker averaged 3.3 points and 1.8 assists in 92 games, all with New York. The Knicks released him Dec. 13.
Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld calls Baker a “tough and physical defender who can give us added depth in the backcourt.”
Baker was an undrafted rookie in 2016 out of Wichita State, where he averaged 13.2 points. He helped the Shockers upset No. 1 Gonzaga in the 2013 NCAA Tournament.
Panthers’ Reid fined again for hit that wasn’t flagged
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Panthers safety Eric Reid says he’s been fined a fourth time this season by the NFL for an illegal hit — this time for a hit that didn’t draw a flag.
The play came in Monday night’s 12-9 loss to the Saints, when Reid and linebacker Luke Kuechly converged on wide receiver Michael Thomas near the sideline.
Reid posted a video of the play Friday on Twitter and wrote “adding it to the file,” referring to his ongoing collusion case pending against the NFL. He alleges that owners conspired to keep him out of the league for kneeling alongside Colin Kaepernick during the national anthem to protest social and racial injustice.
Reid tweeted he was fined $20,054.
He said Thursday the league has drug tested him six times in 11 weeks.
Bryan Rust helps Penguins top Wild
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Bryan Rust scored two goals to help the Pittsburgh Penguins beat the Minnesota Wild 2-1 on Thursday night.
Rust put Pittsburgh ahead to stay when he scored his ninth of the season 8:12 into the third period. Rust has at least one goal in five of his last six games, including the game-winner one night earlier when the Penguins defeated the defending Stanley Cup champion Washington Capitals on the road.
Pittsburgh’s Jake Guentzel picked off a Greg Pateryn pass behind the net, and centered to the slot where Rust slipped a shot between Devan Dubnyk’s pads.
Pittsburgh has won four of five games and seven of 10 overall. The Penguins have earned points in eight of their last 10 games and 13 of the last 17.
Casey DeSmith stopped 40 shots for his eighth win in 12 home starts. DeSmith has started nine of the last 11 games for Pittsburgh.
Jordan Greenway scored his sixth for the Wild, who have dropped three straight and five of seven. Dubnyk made 35 saves.