The Latest Breaking News from Phoenix

PHOENIX — He sneaked up behind Mookie Betts and lifted him into the air. He bear hugged Gavin Lux. He exchanged smiles with Max Muncy.

The 32-year-old free agent had said she would return to Phoenix in a social media post in December, after she returned home from her 10-month detainment in Russia.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — On Super Bowl week’s opening night in downtown Phoenix, a particular crowd of reporters ignored a gallery of star players centered inside Footprint Center and instead migrated to the corner to surround one of the Chiefs’ assistant coaches.

PHOENIX — Does the World Baseball Classic want to remain a glorified exhibition or does it want to be baseball’s equivalent of a World Cup?

PHOENIX — Clayton Kershaw will not pitch in the World Baseball Classic after all.

A trip to Phoenix paved the way to try a whole bunch of regional drinks. The IPAs were great. The cocktail based on a candle? Less so.

In this week’s newsletter: Caleb Blair’s death showed how the climate crisis is a ‘risk multiplier’, amplifying problems with housing, mental health and addiction services, policing and more

PHOENIX — Long, languid strides brought Kevin Durant, the 13-time All-Star in all-black, from one end of Footprint Arena’s court to a chair at its middle Thursday. A personal highlight reel played on a jumbotron overhead, and a midday crowd packed into one side of the arena’s lower bowl howled…

The move for the 34-year-old means the clock has already started ticking on Phoenix’s championship window.