(Storm) were very good. Thats all I can say but we knew that

RIO DE JANEIRO -- Sue Bird and the U.S. womens basketball team received some good news Wednesday when an MRI revealed that the team captain and point guard has a knee capsule sprain.Bird had initially feared the injury would be much worse.Obviously I felt a huge relief, Bird said in a statement provided by USA Basketball. The hardest part is waiting and not knowing. So, to finally get the thumbs-up from the doc that everything was okay was incredibly relieving and exciting, and obviously Im very happy.Bird wasnt at practice on Wednesday and is listed as day-to-day. She has little time to recover before the U.S. faces France in the semifinals on Thursday night. With a win, the U.S. would advance to the gold medal game on Saturday.Bird has started every game for the U.S. in the past three Olympics and has 30 assists and just three turnovers in Rio. The Americans were preparing at practice as if she couldnt go against France.You dont replace Sue. We all know that, guard Diana Taurasi said. Been on too many teams with her and I know how valuable she is to a team. Our success is because shes been the quarterback. Shes the director of it all. To say were not going to miss her ... would be silly.Its going to take a little bit of everyone to fill her shoes. Ill probably slide to the one a little bit more. Lindsay [Whalen] will play a little bit more. We have confidence in everyone on this team.Bird, 35, was hurt with 6:33 left in the second quarter of Tuesday nights 110-64 win over Japan in the quarterfinals. She sat out the second half of the game.The four-time Olympian told The Associated Press in a postgame interview that she heard a pop in the knee. She has had issues with her left knee, but this is the first injury to her right knee.We have depth at certain positions, thats probably not one of them, U.S. coach Geno Auriemma said of point guard. Were there with Lindsay and Dee [Taurasi]. Its more than enough. But now we have to do a great job managing that and making sure, they have to be really smart.With Bird on the bench, the U.S. started Seimone Augustus in the third quarter against Japan on Tuesday night. The Americans outscored Japan 54-18 in the second half without Bird.France has also has had to deal point guard problems. Celine Dumerc, who guided France to the silver medal in the 2012 Olympics, injured her ankle right before the Rio Games.Theyve got their own issues at point guard spot with Celine being out, but managed pretty well, Auriemma said. They run their stuff as well as anyone here. One of the better defensive teams in the world.In Thursdays other semifinal matchup, Serbia plays Spain.Foster Moreau Youth Jersey . -- Josh Sterk scored once and set up two more as the Oshawa Generals edged the visiting Belleville Bulls 3-2 on Friday in Ontario Hockey League action. Jack Tatum Jersey .J. -- Seven games into a disappointing season, New York Giants defensive catalyst Jason Pierre-Paul is getting the feeling hes back. http://www.footballraidersmall.com/Youth-Maxx-Crosby-Elite-Jersey/ .J. Ellis hit two-run homers and the NL West champion Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the San Diego Padres 4-0 Saturday night. Howie Long Womens Jersey . Kuznetsov, who was selected by the Capitals in the first round of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, has been playing for his hometown team Chelyabinsk Traktor of the KHL. Jack Tatum Raiders Jersey . -- Mike Smith never saw his first NHL goal go in.A head knock forced Brisbanes Queensland winger Corey Oates off the field but Wayne Bennett might be nursing the biggest headache after the Broncos record 48-6 NRL loss to Melbourne at Suncorp Stadium.Only days out from Queenslands State of Origin III team being named, Oates lasted barely 20 minutes in Friday nights Storm try-scoring blitz which included a Suliasi Vunivalu hat-trick.Centre Cheyse Blair bagged a double as Melbourne inflicted Brisbanes biggest home loss in front of 44,519 fans.Oates came off second best with try-bound centre Ryan Morgan in the 18th minute and was soon escorted from the field in a concern for Queensland selectors.They name their Origin III team on Monday.However, Bennett might have the biggest worry with an injury-hit Brisbane suffering their sixth loss in eight games.Oates joined a Broncos injury list that already boasted Jordan Kahu, Jack Reed, Greg Eden and Tom Opacic.Then there is their defence.Brisbane have conceded 88 points in their past two games.Melbourne halfback Cooper Cronk inspired the Storms 10th win from 11 games in Brisbane, setting up five of their eight tries.Fijian flyer Vunivalu took his league-leading try tally to 16 from just 10 games.Melbourne have won 10 of their past 11 games against Brisbane including six straight at Suncorp.Somehow it could have been worse for Brisbane.Damaging fullback Cameron Munster failed to overcome an ankle complaint but Blake Green returned to pivot after missing three weeks with a calf injury.MMelbourne led 30-6 at halftime albeit after a slice of luck.ddddddddddddReplays showed Vunivalu appeared offside and impeded Kori Nikorima before pouncing on a Cronk kick in the 22nd minute.Five minutes later, officials missed Marika Koroibetes foot on the sideline in the build-up to Cheyse Blairs try.Brisbanes Kodi Nikorima dislocated his shoulder in the first half but played on as he tried to patch up a reshuffled backline.The diminutive bench utility was slotted first onto the wing and then at fullback but could not stop Melbourne taking full advantage of Oates absence, terrorising Brisbanes left edge.They (Storm) were very good. Thats all I can say but we knew that, Bennett said.We got the injury and they exploited that - there wasnt much we could do to fix it.Bennett played down Origin fears for Oates.Hes conscious now. Hes fine. He will be right in 10 days time or so (for Origin III on July 13), he said.Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy was just as surprised as anyone by the scoreline.I dont think anyone saw that coming. Its a bit surreal, he said.But Brisbane have too many quality players and too good a culture not to bounce back.Bellamy said the prognosis did not look good for forward Jordan McLean (ankle) who lasted 25 minutes on Friday night.He expected Munster to return to action in their next match against Newcastle on July 17 after a bye. ' ' '