In brief: Augustus moves Lynx within one win of WNBA title

WNBA: Seimone Augustus scored 36 points to lead Minnesota’s second-half surge, and the Lynx moved within one win of their first WNBA title by beating the Atlanta Dream 101-95 in Game 2 of the league championship series on Wednesday night.

Jessica Adair added 13 points in 18 minutes in a reserve role for the Lynx, who took a commanding 2-0 lead by overcoming 38 points by the Dream’s Angel McCoughtry. Game 3 in the best-of-five matchup is set for Friday night in Atlanta.

With veteran center Taj McWilliams-Franklin on the bench with a sprained right knee suffered late in the third quarter, WNBA Rookie of the Year Maya Moore sitting for most of the game in foul trouble and fellow All-Star Rebekkah Brunson having a quiet game, Augustus took over.

Hearing “MVP” chants as she swished her free throws down the stretch, the sixth-year forward finished 11 for 14 from the floor and 13 for 16 at the line to help the Lynx fight back from a pair of 10-point holes in the second quarter.

Lighter Williams returns to Bengals

NFL: Right guard Bobbie Williams showed up in the Cincinnati Bengals’ locker room with a big smile and a slightly smaller waist.

The 35-year-old offensive lineman lost 12 pounds in the past month while serving a four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing substances. He said he took an over-the-counter diuretic, one that’s banned because it can mask steroid use.

“Poor judgment,” Williams said. “No one to blame but myself. The first thing I said was I was going to turn this from a negative into a positive, and I have. I’ve been in the best shape since entering the league. I’m as light as I’ve ever been, quicker.”

The Bengals (2-2) are thrilled that he’s back, even if there’s a little less of him. He’s likely to start Sunday in Jacksonville (1-3), balancing a running game that has definitely tilted left without him.

• Redskins reinstate Buchanon: The Washington Redskins reinstated cornerback Phillip Buchanon to the 53-man roster following his four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s policy on performance- enhancing substances.

To make room, the Redskins released defensive back Brandyn Thompson, a seventh-round draft pick from Boise State.

Buchanon was with the Redskins during training camp but was not allowed to have contact with the team during his suspension.

Coach Mike Shanahan said he hopes Buchanon will play in Washington’s next game. The Redskins are on their bye week and will host Philadelphia on Oct. 16.

• Texans carry on without Johnson: All-Pro receiver Andre Johnson will miss the Houston Texans’ game on Sunday against Oakland and an unspecified amount of time after a minor procedure to repair a right hamstring injury.

Coach Gary Kubiak said the Texans will be “missing a heck of a player” against the Raiders, but he is confident there is enough offensive firepower to carry on.

Johnson was hurt in the second quarter of Sunday’s 17-10 win over Pittsburgh. Kubiak he would not put a timetable on Johnson’s return after Tuesday’s procedure.

• Broncos excuse tackle Franklin: Broncos rookie right tackle Orlando Franklin was excused Wednesday to deal with a family tragedy.

On Wednesday night, Franklin tweeted, “Thanks guys for all your prayers for my little brother. Its a shame that he had to die at 20.”

He didn’t provide any other details.

NCAA specifies two BSU suspensions

College football: Two of Boise State’s three football players with Dutch ties were suspended at the start of the season because of recruiting violations and for taking illegal benefits, including one player who received a car and payments to cover auto insurance, NCAA officials said.

The statement issued by the NCAA provided the first explanation for the one-game suspension handed down to senior safety Cedric Febis and the four-game suspension served by sophomore receiver Geraldo Boldewijn.

Officials say the investigation into defensive tackle Ricky Tjong-A-Tjoe is still pending.

All three players are from Amsterdam and moved to the Boise area to play high school football before signing on to play for Boise State.