Fans are warned to leave their seats due to an incoming storm during France's World Cup game against Iraq (FRANCK FIFE)Fans at the 2026 World Cup in North America had been warned there was a possibility that games could be disrupted by bad weather. On Monday, that likelihood came true with a vengeance as lightning flashed across the sky above Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia and torrential rain soaked spectators at France's game against Iraq, forcing play to be halted for more than two hours.It was the first time that a match at the tournament has had to be paused due to the weather.Fans at the stadium tried to make the best of the situation, although they were surprised by the strictness of the protocol.After Canadian referee Drew Fischer sent the 22 players back to the dressing rooms for half-time, with France leading 1-0 thanks to a Kylian Mbappe goal, an urgent message flashed up on the scoreboards: "Please exit the open seating area and seek shelter in covered areas of the stadium."The approximately 70,000 spectators, many already in ponchos and rain coats, filed out and, in little more than 15 minutes, the concourses of "the Linc" resembled a huge train station on a holiday travel day.Antoine Chouraqui, a Frenchman who has lived in the United States for a decade, took the development in stride."There are storms in the summer here. I've never had to evacuate a stadium, but I play tennis and often we're in the middle of a match when the alarm goes off warning that lightning is coming, and we have to leave the court," he told AFP.A fan from Paris though was baffled by the order to leave the stands."We don't really know what to do; we haven't been given many instructions," said the man, who declined to give his name, as he stood with his two sons."I've never seen that in 40 years of football. In France we don't stop a match for rain."The rain poured and poured, soaking any fans who lingered in the seats."We brought the ponchos, we were ready," said Steven Jouan, 32, who had come to Philadelphia from South Carolina with his partner for the game to support France."We have been to different sporting events before so we knew that delays happen. Most of the other games get cancelled but a World Cup game, you just gotta stick it out."- 'With $400 tickets, I'm staying' -Spectators used the interruption to try to dry off, chat, and shop, whether it was food, drinks, jerseys, scarves, or whatever other merchandise they could find.There was no chance of fans leaving though -- with the cost of tickets to this World Cup, they wanted to get their money's worth."I've already left an interrupted MLS match before," said Axel Francon, who has lived in Colorado for four years. "But here, at $400 a ticket, I'm staying." Pierre Prondeau and Morgane Granger stayed too, "after travelling 6,000 kilometers" to attend France's first two World Cup matches. "We're making the best of a bad situation, but the match better not be postponed because we won't be able to change our return tickets," Prondeau said.Eventually the lightning stopped flashing and an announcement was made that the game would restart at 8:00 pm local time (0000 GMT Tuesday). France went on to win 3-0. The Club World Cup in the United States last year, which served as a dress rehearsal for the World Cup, saw six matches delayed because of extreme weather conditions, including eventual winners Chelsea's game against Benfica in the round of 16 in Charlotte, which was halted for four and a half hours.Scientists say this is a phenomenon that could become increasingly common as greenhouse gases continue to warm the planet.lh-as/gj/jgc

HOUSTON, TX - JUNE 20: Jose Altuve #27 of the Houston Astros fields a ball during the game between the Cleveland Guardians and the Houston Astros at Daikin Park on Saturday, June 20, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Logan Riely/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images Eighty games are officially in the books. The Astros have been victorious in 37 of them, after dropping the opening contest of their 7-game road trip in Toronto by a score of 4-2. Prior to exiting in the 6th inning with an apparent leg injury, Jeremy Pena would start off things on a positive note. Pena led off the game with a single, stole a pair of bases and eventually came around to score on a hit from Isaac Paredes. For Paredes it was his 38th RBI of the season. Houston would threaten further but Yainer Diaz grounded into an inning ending double play. After the escape, Jays pitcher Dylan Cease would get on a roll, retiring the next 14 batters he faced. For the night, he’d strike out 8 in total. In the bottom of the second, Kazuma Okamoto would notch his 17th home run of the year, tying the game at 1-1. Hunter Brown would grind out three innings of work, delivering 85 pitches. Brown would strike out four, walk two and surrender four hits on the night. AJ Blubaugh would take the reins in the fourth inning and immediately run into trouble. Andres Gimenez would single, George Springer would walk and then an error by Raynel Delgado would allow Nathan Lukes to reach safely, loading the bases. Vladimir Guerrero would hit a sac fly to bring in Gimenez, and with that the Blue Jays would take their first lead of the evening at 2 to 1. Unfortunately for the Astros, Jeremy Pena would leave tonight’s game in the top of the 6th mid-at bat. After fouling a ball off, he was removed from the game. He was seen flexing his right leg, which is he same leg he had suffered a hamstring injury on earlier this year. After the game, manager Joe Espada said he had a cramp in his left leg and that was why he was removed. However, in the top of the 6th, the Astros would tie things up at 2-2 and chase Dylan Cease from the game. Jose Altuve would work some two out magic, bringing home Yordan Alvarez who reached with a walk. However, it would be short lived as in the bottom of the 7th, Okamoto would do further damage, with a double deep to left field which placed Daulton Varsho to third. Former Astro Myles Straw would then come up and bring in Varsho on a sac fly giving Toronto the lead once again at 3-2. Brice Matthews and Yordan Alvarez would start the 8th with back-to-back singles, but that momentum quickly evaporated after Christian Walker grounded into a double play.Toronto would add an insurance run in the 8th on a sac fly from Alejandro Kirk. That would represent their third sacrifice RBI of the game and bring the final result of 4-2. Louis Varland would come on to close things out. For Varland, it’s his 8th save of the month. Odds & Ends:Yordan Alvarez would play left field in consecutive games for the first time this season. Peter Lambert will take the hill tomorrow afternoon with a 3:07 pm first pitch. The earlier start time is due to a World Cup match between Croatia and Panama taking place nearby.

Golden Knights owner Bill Foley is hoping to add an NBA team for Las Vegas to his pro sports portfolio.On the 10th anniversary of his landing an NHL franchise for Las Vegas, Bill Foley is ready to do it again. This time with an NBA team.Foley, whose Black Knight Sports and Entertainment company owns the Golden Knights, announced Monday that the financial giant Morgan Stanley will be working with Foley and his investors to acquire an NBA expansion franchise that would be scheduled to begin play in 2028."Las Vegas has earned its place among the great sports cities in America, and an NBA team belongs here," Foley said in a statement released by the Golden Knights. "We built the Golden Knights into a championship organization from the ground up, and we are prepared to do it again — with the same standard, the same commitment to this community, and the same insistence on winning.“We have the market, a proven world-class arena, and a best-in-class organization in place. Our intention is to be ready the day the NBA is ready.”When Foley entered the NHL on June 22, 2016, he and his group paid $500 million, a record at the time for an expansion team. For the NBA, the price tag is expected to be considerably higher. Estimates have the fee at $4 billion. Both Las Vegas and Seattle are being considered for the NBA to grow from its current 30 teams to 32 come 2028. The league has said a decision will be made before the end of the calendar year. "This is the NBA's decision to make," Foley said. "Our job is to provide the league a Las Vegas option that is ready, credible, and built to last.”With Morgan Stanley on board, it should put at ease any financial concerns the league’s Board of Governors may have. The company is valued at $70 billion. Foley expects the group to include a limited number of strategic and minority partners,selected for alignment with the franchise's long-term vision and for their fit under league ownership policy.In addition, Foley has retained the law firm of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP to advise the group on the NBA expansion effort.However, don’t expect NBA greats Shaquille O’Neal and LeBron James to be involved. Both have said publicly they will not be part of a Las Vegas ownership group after previously expressing interest in being involved. The Golden Knights have been one of the most successful stories in North American professional sports. In the nine years of existence, the team has been to the Stanley Cup Final three times, including earlier this month where they lost to the Carolina Hurricanes in six games. The Knights made the Cup Final in their inaugural season of 2017-18, losing to the Washington Capitals. But in 2023, Foley’s prediction of “Cup In Six” was fulfilled when the Knights defeated the Florida Panthers to win the Cup.The team has played to beyond capacity for virtually its entire existence at T-Mobile Arena. Foley has said that regardless of whether the NBA comes to Las Vegas, he was prepared to invest $300 million to upgrade the arena, which celebrated its 10th anniversary in April. With Foley now bidding to bring the NBA to town, you can expect that process to be expedited. According to CNBC, the Golden Knights franchise is currently worth $2.1 billion, ranking 13th in the NHL. The Toronto Maple Leafs are the highest valued of the NHL’s 32 teams at $4.3 billion.An update on expansion is expected next month when the NBA’s Board of Governors holds its annual meeting in Las Vegas in conjunction with the NBA Summer League.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Caitlin Clark had 24 points and nine assists, Kelsey Mitchell scored 22 points, and the Indiana Fever overcame a 13-point, first-quarter deficit to beat the Phoenix Mercury 86-77 on Monday night.Indiana scored just six points in the first quarter, tied for its fewest in any quarter since 2018 and its fewest in the first since 2016. The Fever responded with a 35-point second quarter — the second-most they’ve scored in a quarter this season — to tie the game 41-all at the break. Clark scored 15 in the second quarter.The Fever outscored Phoenix 30-11 in the third and held off a late charge in a chippy fourth that saw six technical fouls handed out between the two teams. Myisha Hines-Allen was ejected after picking up her second technical foul.Clark and Mitchell made 16 of Indiana's 27 field goals, including six 3-pointers. Monique Billings finished with 14 points and 10 rebounds for her first double-double of the year for Indiana (10-7), which snapped a two-game skid. Aliyah Boston was held to eight points on 2-of-9 shooting. Clark has the most consecutive 20-point, five-assist games in WNBA history with six. Kahleah Copper scored 20 points for Phoenix (5-12), and Alyssa Thomas had 19 points, five rebounds and nine assists. Thomas became the fastest player in WNBA history to record 500 assists with a franchise, surpassing Clark in four fewer games. She also moved to 13th on the WNBA's career steals list.Up nextThe Fever host the Mercury again on Wednesday.___AP WNBA: https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball

WASHINGTON (AP) — Curtis Mead and Luis Garcia Jr. homered, Foster Griffin pitched 7 1/3 strong innings and the Nationals beat the Phillies 4-1 on Monday night in the opener of a four-game series between the division rivals.Dylan Crews, James Wood and Keibert Ruiz each had a double and a single for Washington, which had lost three of four.Griffin (8-2) gave up a run on four hits and struck out nine without a walk. He has gone five or more innings and allowed one earned run in each of his past four starts.Clayton Beeter pitched the ninth for his sixth save.Brandon Marsh homered for Philadelphia, which had won two straight and four of six.The start of the game was delayed one hour and 32 minutes by rain.Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper, who went a combined 12 for 17 over their past two games with six homers (four by Schwarber) went 2 for 8 with Harper singling twice.Washington’s CJ Abrams saw his home run streak end at three games. Nasim Nuñez singled twice and has hit safely in eight straight games and reached base safely in a career-high 14 straight.Marsh's homer in the seventh pulled the Phillies within 2-1, but Wood singled and Mead followed with a two-run shot in the bottom half. Wood doubled leading off the first against opener Tim Mayza and scored on a single by Crews.Garcia homered off Alan Rangel with one out in the second to make it 2-0.Mayza (2-2) allowed one run in one inning and bulk reliever Rangel, recalled from Triple-A Lehigh Valley, allowed a run on five hits over five innings.Up nextPhiladelphia’s Jesús Luzardo (6-4, 4.20 ERA) pitches the second game of the series, while the Nationals will start Zack Littell (6-6, 5.45).___AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Jun 22, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays left fielder Myles Straw (3), center fielder Daulton Varsho (5), and right fielder Nathan Lukes (38) celebrate the win against the Houston Astros at the end of the ninth inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images | Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images Astros 2 Blue Jays 4We really should have scored more. It is funny how that line just types itself at the top of recaps. But we are back at .500, and, amazingly, hold the third Wild Card spot. Dylan Cease had a nice night. 5.2 innings, 3 hits, 2 earned, 4 walks and 8 strikeouts. He had a tough first inning, single, walk, strikeout, single, walk and finally double play. All that added up to just 1 run.Then he got the next 13 batters out. Cease had some trouble again in the sixth. With 1 out, he handed out 2 walks. After a line out (thanks for catching it, Jesús Sánchez. He never fills me with confidence in the outfield). After a visit from John Schneider, Jose Altuve hit a single (just cleared the infielders, but not hit hard enough to reach the outfielders). After that, Cease came out of the game. Unfortunately, that run cost Cease a W. Dylan threw 110 pitches, which is a lot these days. Braydon Fisher got the last out of the inning. And pitched a perfect seventh. Nice work, Braydon.Tyler Rogers gave up a pair of singled to start the eighth, but then got a double play (very nicely turned, Ernie Clement to Andrés Giménez to Vladimir Guerrero. After a walk, another ground out ended the inning.And Louis Varland, despite a leadoff walk, picked up his 16th save. Helped out by another nice double play, former Jay, Joey Loperfido ground to Giménez, who threw to Clement, who turned it to Vlad. A strikeout ended the game. Offensively, we had 11 hits and 5 walks, which should have added up to more than 4 runs.In the first: With 2 outs, Vlad and Kirk had singles, but no runs scored.In the second: Kazuma Okamoto led off with a home run. Then, with two outs, Giménez was hit by pitch and George Springer singled…..but Nathan Lukes struck out to end the inning.In the third: With two outs, we loaded the bases with a pair of walks and a hit batter, but didn’t score.In the fourth: A Giménez single, a Springer walk and a Lukes sac bunt, that the Astros decided not to accept, allowing Nathan to reach on error, loaded the bases with no outs. Finally we were going to have our big inning. Vlad hit a sac fly, ok, starting with a run, no worries (with the worst throw from the outfield that we’ve seen all year, from Yordan Alvarez). A Kirk fly out (way too short to score a run. It was a rough at bat, swinging at the first pitch that was well outside and low, and then at another pitch off the plate for the fly out). And Daulton Varsho also flied out. Oh well, we were up 2-1.In the fifth: A one-out walk (Sánchez) and single (Clement) were wasted with a Giménez double play ball.In the sixth….we had our first three up, three down inning. Reliever Enyel De Los Santos looked terrific.In the seventh: With one out, Varsho singled and Okamoton doubled him to third. A Myles Straw sac fly scored our third run. Then Clement walked (his second this month!). But Giménez struck out to end it.In the eighth: Singles from Springer, Lukes, and Vlad loaded the bases. Kirk hit a sac fly to give us a 2-run lead. But, yet another double play ball ended the inning. Springer, Vlad and Okamoto (with his 17th home run) had two hits each. Every starter reached base at least once. Sanchez was the only starter not to get a hit, but he walked and was hit by pitch. Jays of the Day: Okamoto (0.24), Fisher (0.16) and Rogers (0.12) had the number. Let’s give an honorable mention to Varland for the save.No one had the number for the other award. Kirk had the low mark at -0.08.Tomorrow we have a 4:00 start time. I don’t understand why. It isn’t a travel day, the Astros are still here on Wednesday. Shane Bieber gets his first start of the season. Peter Lambert (6-4, 3.23) starts for the Astros. The Recap will likely be late, as I’ve got the MS Bike Ride this weekend and I have to get some riding in (if we can do without rain for a day) before hand. I plan to

The Brooklyn Nets finished the 2025-26 NBA season with a 20-62 record that made it clear that the team had a long way to go to improve before next season. While Brooklyn has been allowing everyone to speculate when it comes to who they will be taking with the No. 6 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, they have also decided to make waves before the event even begins.ESPN's Shams Charania reported on Monday night that the Nets traded center Nic Claxton to the Chicago Bulls in a three-team deal in which they received forward Julius Randle and the No. 28 pick from the Minnesota Timberwolves. Assuming that the details are final as of this writing, the Timberwolves received the No. 33 pick from the Nets while the Bulls appear to have just received Claxton.Claxton, 27, is coming off one of the best seasons of his seven-year career as he averaged 11.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game while shooting 57.1% from the field and 61.6% from the free-throw line. Over the course of a tough rebuilding season, Claxton showed more of his ability to pass the basketball as one of the hubs within head coach Jordi Fernandez's offense and now, he'll try to be that kind of player for the Bulls.Randle, 31, had a solid season for Minnesota as he averaged 21.1 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game while shooting 48.1% from the floor and 31.5% from deep. For his ability, Randle is on a fairly-valuable contract as he is due $69 million over the next two years and while he would be the oldest player on the roster, he could provide a veteran presence while showing the ropes to the younger players on the team.With Brooklyn getting the No. 28 pick, it's fair to wonder who they will be targeting with the pick given they have been connected to players expected to be taken early in the Lottery. Even someone like Michigan forward Morez Johnson Jr., whom the Nets recently brought in for a workout, is generally expected to be taken closer to the Lottery than the second round. For context, Bleacher Report's consensus mock draft has Duke guard Isaiah Evans being taken with the No. 28 pick.The Nets make the move that some have anticipated by trading Nic Claxton to the Bulls while acquiring Julius Randle and the 28th pick in the 2026 NBA Draft for the 33rd pick. Randle, 31, averaged 21.1 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game on 48% shooting from the field. https://t.co/5DtEzD6ygN— Sharif Phillips-Keaton (@SharifKeaton) June 23, 2026Timberwolves free up significant salary with the remaining two years of Randle's deal, giving them more flexibility to retain Ayo Dosunmu and use exceptions. Nets acquire a three-time All-Star and two-time All-NBA forward in Randle into their cap space -- plus a first-rounder.… https://t.co/c3gcHfZpEg— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 23, 2026This article originally appeared on Nets Wire: Nets trade Nic Claxton to Bulls, receive Julius Randle from T'Wolves

This man quit his job rather than face Marquette in each of the next two seasons. | Photo by Ben Solomon/NCAA Photos via Getty Images On Monday, news broke that the Dallas Mavericks are hiring Michigan men’s basketball head coach Dusty May as the NBA team’s new head coach. It’s clearly a big deal in the college basketball world, as May just guided the Wolverines to the national championship back in early April, and now, just over two months later, he’s gone after assembling a roster that BartTorvik.com has projected at #9 in the country in the preseason rankings.There’s a lot of angles to this one, so you might be wondering: What’s the Marquette angle since this is a Marquette Golden Eagles-themed website?Well, that’s pretty simple.View this post on InstagramThat post is from April, but we’ve known since March that Marquette would visit Michigan for the front end of a home-and-home series in the 2026-27 season, which will then be followed by the Wolverines coming to Milwaukee in 2027-28. When news got out that the game was on the schedule, it seemed that it might be a rough go of things for the Golden Eagles to play at Crisler Arena next season. By the time MU announced the date for the visit to Michigan, the Wolverines already had their national championship trophy in hand, thus making that rough climb even steeper.But now Dusty May has left Michigan. By default, no matter who is running the show for the Wolverines by the time we get to November — it seems like it will be assistant coach Mike Boynton, either as an interim or as the new full time head coach — the Wolverines will be worse off without May calling the shots. On top of that, once Michigan has officially made the move to replace May, the players on the roster are entitled to a limited transfer portal window. There’s no guarantee that anyone will stick around in Ann Arbor now that May is gone. Odds are that the roster won’t change all that much if we’re being honest. Michigan’s not poor, and most of the good roster spots at other top teams have been occupied for a long while now. May as well just stick it out with Not Dusty May as the coach until the spring at the very least…… but it would be naive to presume that everyone will stay, right?So, to review: Michigan’s going to be worse off without MayBoynton has a record of just 119-109 as a head coach with a 51-75 mark in Big 12 play in seven seasons at Oklahoma StateThe Wolverines will probably lose at least one player to the transfer portal now that the situation that they agreed to originally has changed.I’m not saying that things are set up perfectly for Marquette to go 2-0 against Michigan in this series now. I am saying that it has gotten MUCH easier for Marquette to go 2-0 in the series. Maybe they’re still going to lose at Crisler in November. I still feel much better about the Golden Eagles’ chances.Follow Anonymous Eagle on social mediaFacebook: AnonymousEagleInstagram: AnonymousEagleSBNBluesky: AnonymousEagle

DENVER, CO - JUNE 22: Jake McCarthy #31 of the Colorado Rockies hits a three-RBI triple for a walk-off 3-2 win in the ninth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Coors Field on June 22, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) | Getty Images LOL. LMAO even. The Sox never trailed until the final run crossed the plate, having built a 2-0 win methodically over the previous eight innings. This was a Little League-ass game (complimentary enough): Against starting pitchers neither team could do much, but the Sox eventually broke through on a sixth-inning RBI double by Willson Contreras. Caleb Durbin followed with another RBI the same inning. And that was all to write home about except a great start from Jake Bennett and an appearance by old friend Brennan Bernardino.The first danger the Sox faced was in the eighth, when Garrett Whitlock gave up four straight one-out singles and escaped by the Sox throwing out guys at home and second. Just gnarly stuff, and the spider moment from Lord of the Rings, right? That one final major roadblock? Au contraire, because Aroldis Chapman gave up four straight hits — the first three were singles, the third was a bunt, the fourth a double to clear the bases and win it — and it was over in the blink of an eye, even after a short game (it was 2:20 in real time to play the whole thing). The first seven of the eight straight hits to end it were singles. Let tonight forever be known as the game the Red Sox gave up eight straight hits to end it to fall into a lead for the fewest wins in the league… tied with the Rockies. That’s some shit!BOX

DENVER, CO - JUNE 22: Jake McCarthy #31 of the Colorado Rockies hits a three-RBI triple for a walk-off 3-2 win in the ninth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Coors Field on June 22, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) | Getty Images Rockies 3, Red Sox 2Leverage index and box scoreGraphics via FanGraphs.Jake McCarthy!: Jake McCarthy, +0.41 WPAChapbad: Aroldis Chapman, -0.88 WPAGame thread comment of the dayJoin the conversation!Sign up for a user account and get:Fewer adsCreate community postsComment on articles, community postsRec comments, community postsNew, improved notifications system!Please keep in mind our Purple Row Community Guidelines when you’re commenting. Thanks!

MILWAUKEE, WI - JUNE 18: Cade Smith #36 of the Cleveland Guardians pitches during the game between the Cleveland Guardians and the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on Thursday, June 18, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Kylie Bridenhagen/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images What a stupid game baseball is. White Sox 6, Guardians 5. I can’t take much more of this.The Guardians looked hopeless for six innings against a bad pitcher in Anthony Kay. The White Sox had a homer and scratched another run home off of Gavin Williams who went six. Tim Herrin gave up a homer to Randal Grichuk whom the Guardians could have had off waivers but couldn’t find room for because they have Stuart Fairchild. 3-0 White Sox.Then, the Guardians somehow tied the game. Steven Kwan, Daniel Schneemann and Travis Bazzana got on base and Stephen Vogt pinch-hit Kahlil Watson for David Fry and it worked! Watson got his first major league hit and it scored two runs. Then Rhys Hoskins hit a single and I have no idea why third base coach Rouglas Odor held Watson at third but he did and so the Guardians only scored three runs. 3-3.The White Sox got a hustle double on a groundball not hard hit by one of their Montgomeries off of Sean Armstrong. And then he scored on a stupid broken bat groundball that Hoskins misplayed either because he had bat shards flying at him or because of the English on the ball or because he is a bad defender. Or all of the above.BUT the Guardians took the lead back on a Travis Bazzana walk, then two steals to get to third on a wild pitch, and a Patrick Bailey single, followed by a Brayan Rocchio double that (after a horrendous at-bat from Rhys Hoskins against a Seranthony Dominguez incapable of throwing strikes) resulted in Bailey barely scoring on a Kyle Manzardo sacrifice fly. 5-4 good guys.Now, needless to say, Gabriel Arias, batting sixth, struck out to end this two-run 9th inning. Arias struck out five times, including one in the first where the catcher completely missed the ball and Arias could have made it to first and caused a run to score but he was too busy lazily making his way to the dugout. I have not despised a Guardians player as much as I have Arias in a good while.Cade Smith had worked a scoreless eighth for some reason, so Stephen Vogt brought him out for the 9th. And of course he gave up a BABIP double who scored on a pitch that the one super Italian-sounding White Sox player hit for a single around his eyeballs to win the game. Yay, White Sox, you’re division leaders again.Travis Bazzana was great, Brayan Rocchio was great. Congratulations to Kahlil Watson on your first major league hit. Now, I am going to try to go to sleep and try not to dread watching this team again tomorrow.

Jon Krawczynski: Naz Reid is going to be the starting power forward for the Minnesota Timberwolves for the first time in his career. This move is a big statement of belief in Reid and Jaden McDaniels to take the next steps in their development.x.comThis article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Naz Reid could be the starting power forward for Wolves after Julius Randle trade

Yossi Gozlan: The Bulls will use $23.1 million of their cap space to acquire Nic Claxton. They go from from $54 million in cap space to $30.9 million in room remaining. They would still have the $9.4 million room mid-level to use after. Great business getting him essentially for free.x.comThis article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Bulls will use $23.1 million of their cap space to …

Indiana Fever superstar guard Caitlin Clark is three technical fouls away from a one-game suspension.Clark picked up her fifth tech of the season on Monday night during a brouhaha with the Phoenix Mercury, one that apparently came on "clapping and instigating" according to Clark's interaction with one of the game's refs."We should all just go on the calendar now and pick a game that I’m gonna be suspended for if I’m gonna get technicals for clapping," an animated Clark told reporters after the game as she was questioning the tech. Clark was not happy with the call, which is pretty par for the course for how she usually reacts to calls that don't go her way. It's part of the competitive spirit. However, this time, she's got a point over the call being questionable.There is league precedent from this season for a player getting a technical foul rescinded over clapping. Dallas Wings superstar guard Paige Bueckers recently had a tech waved off over clapping. #Fever star Caitlin Clark called her fifth tech of the season “ridiculous.” 8 techs = one-game suspension.“We should all just go on the calendar now and pick a game that I’m gonna be suspended for if I’m gonna get technicals for clapping.”CC called out official Gerda Gatling. pic.twitter.com/n8pMon1qqP— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) June 23, 2026Whether or not the league erases this Clark tech is beyond us; they might not because of the dust-up that led to the call. However, Clark will have to be careful not to keep the techs coming with three more leading to a one-game sit. When do the Fever and Mercury play again?Wednesday evening at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Bring your popcorn.This article originally appeared on For The Win: Why Caitlin Clark's latest tech leaves her closer to 1-game suspension

DENVER (AP) — Jake McCarthy hit a three-run triple down the left-field line in the ninth inning and the Colorado Rockies rallied to beat the Boston Red Sox 3-2 on Monday night.The Rockies started the inning with three straight singles off All-Star closer Aroldis Chapman (0-3) before McCarthy sent a liner that hit off the wall and bounded away from left fielder Jarren Duran. The carom allowed Cole Carrigg to slide in headfirst with the winning run. Soon after, McCarthy was swarmed by excited teammates.Colorado's rally offset a pair of baserunning blunders that ended the eighth. The Rockies had a runner thrown out at home and another get tagged out after being caught between second and third base when a runner in front of him stopped at third. McCarthy's ninth-inning heroics spoiled a stellar outing by Red Sox rookie Jake Bennett, who threw six sharp innings while striking out nine. He allowed four hits. Boston took a 2-0 lead in the sixth courtesy of an RBI double from Willson Contreras and a run-scoring single from Caleb Durbin.Colorado starter Ryan Feltner threw six solid innings, allowing two runs. Victor Vodnik (2-2) earned the win by pitching two scoreless innings.Mickey Moniak had a pinch-hit single in the eighth in his first game for Colorado since May 21. He was on the injured list with ankle tendinitis. The Rockies had homered in 13 straight games. Up nextThe Red Sox will send right-hander Sonny Gray (8-1, 3.12 ERA) to the mound Tuesday night. The Rockies counter with lefty Sean Sullivan (0-1, 10.29).___AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Jun 22, 2026; Omaha, NE, USA; The North Carolina Tar Heels bench watches action against the Oklahoma Sooners during the fourth inning at Charles Schwab Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-Imagn Images | Steven Branscombe-Imagn Images An abysmal middle-inning stretch saw Carolina baseball come up short of a national championship yet again, losing to Oklahoma 13-2 in the deciding third game of the College World Series finals.The Tar Heels are now in sole possession of second-most CWS appearances by teams without a title at 13. Florida State holds the top spot with 24. The Sooners took a 2-0 lead in the top of the second inning, scoring on a Kyle Branch single and a wild pitch. In the bottom of the frame, UNC complemented its defensive misstep with an offensive one; Rom Kellis V hit a single to right field with two outs that should have scored Erik Paulsen from second, but Carter French was thrown out trying to go from first to third, ending the inning with OU’s lead intact. Oklahoma added another run in the top of the third on a two-out single by Brendan Brock immediately after Walker McDuffie relieved starting pitcher Jackson Rose. This time, the Tar Heels were able to answer in the bottom of the inning, but they still left a lot on the table. A Gavin Gallaher RBI single made it 3-1 and gave Carolina runners on the corners with one out, prompting the Sooners to relieve starting pitcher Nick Wesloski with LJ Mercurius, who retired the next two batters.The wheels fully came off for UNC in the fourth inning. McDuffie issued three straight walks to load the bases and was pulled for Caden Glauber, who walked in a run and allowed a two-RBI single before he himself was pulled for Matthew Matthijs. Matthijs got Carolina out of the inning without further damage but gave up a leadoff home run to Dayton Tockey in the fifth. Branch drove in two more runs for Oklahoma in the sixth on a bases-loaded single with two outs (Folger Boaz gave up that one).Offensively, UNC had almost no answer for Mercurius, managing just one baserunner in the middle innings. Owen Hull drove in a run off of him in the seventh, which was negated and then some by an OU four-spot in the eighth (Dasan Harris hit an RBI single and Branch hit a three-run home run). Mercurius’ final line was four hits and one earned run with zero walks and five strikeouts in 5.2 innings. He was credited with the win as Oklahoma claimed its third national championship and first since 1994. Carolina used a total of eight pitchers, with Rose taking the loss. Only Glauber, Boaz, and Kyle Percival (who pitched the ninth inning) were not tagged with an earned run.

NEW YORK - OCTOBER 1989: Influential British rockers New Order (L -R) bassist Peter Hook, keyboardist Gillian Gilbert, lead vocalist/guitarist Bernard Sumner and drummer Stephen Morris pose for an October 1989 portrait in New York City, New York. (Photo by Bob Berg/Getty Images) | Getty Images Record: 39-39. Pace: 81-81. Change on 2025: -1.I suppose we should have predicted a one-run game here, and it may not be the last in the series. Coming in, the D-backs and Cardinals were first and equal second (with the Dodgers) for the most one run games in the National League. Arizona were 13-12, and St. Louis 13-10. Both those numbers now tick up a point in the appropriate direction. The D-backs’ recent string of futility with runners in scoring position continued. While they pulled back from three runs down to close within one, they were unable to get the big when they needed it. The runs scored on a solo home-run by Tommy Troy, and a groundout by ex-Cardinal Nolan Arenado, but Arizona went 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position.I would not have bet on a one-run game three batters into the bottom of the first, however. With a possible bullpen game looming on the horizon, the last thing the Diamondbacks needed was a short outing from Merrill Kelly. It looked like one could be on the Cards (pun very much intended), as Kelly allowed back-to-back singles, followed by a walk, to load the bases before getting around to retiring a home hitter. However, disaster was averted in two pitches, as Jordan Walker (5th in the NL for homers coming in), lined out to Geraldo Perdomo and the next pitch saw Lars Nootbaar (1st in the NL for name that’s most fun to say) hit into a double-play.View LinkUnfortunately, that basically used up all Arizona’s luck points for the evening. That much was spectacularly clear in the third inning, after Ketel Marte singled to lead things off. Perdomo then hit into what was a potential double-play, but Masyn Winn’s screaming throw to first skidded past the first baseman. Geraldo then tried to take second, but appears to have been blown over by the shockwave from Wynn’s throw (above). That’s the only way to explain him eating dirt, on his way to the old 4-6-3-6-2 double-play, where both of the outs were made at second-base. After that, it really didn’t feel like it was going to be the D-backs’ night. The bottom of the third proved it. A lead-off single almost drilled Kelly, and the runner came around to score on a perfectly-placed infield hit with an expected batting average of just .060. That was the first of the Cardinals’ two hits with RISP tonight, and gave them a 1-0 lead. At least it was followed by another double-play, this one sweetly turned by Arenado. Speaking of whom, he got a very nice reception from the St. Louis fans when he stepped to the plate in the second inning. Perhaps a little surprising, considering how much their team is paying for him to be on the Arizona roster, this year and next. But they appear to be mostly intent on remembering the good times, like 2022 when he was 3rd in MVP voting behind some “Goldschmidt” guy.The Cardinals added to their lead in the fourth, after a lead-off walk came home on a sacrifice fly, and a two-out RBI single followed for a 3-0 lead. That was the end of the damage against Kelly, who was able to deliver a quality start, by the bare minimum in both metrics: exactly six innings pitched, with precisely three earned runs allowed. He allowed seven hits, all of which were singles, but walked three and struck out just two of the 26 batters faced. That’s a K-rate of 5.23 per nine innings, one of the worst by any everyday pitcher in the majors this year. His K:BB ratio is 1.42, compared to 3.48 last season, and that’s surely one of the main reasons for his struggles.View LinkThe Diamondbacks were able to make something of a game of it. They got on the board on the sixth. Corbin Carroll led off with a double off the wall in right, which would have been a home-run in 21 parks. He scored anyway, on a pair of groundouts. There was no such doubt about Arizona’s second run, coming courtesy of Tommy Troy’s third home-run of the year (above) in the seventh inning. It was a no-doubter, estimated at 444 feet. That’s the third-longest by any Arizona batter this year, trailing a 448 ft Carroll shot (at Coors, so give it a *), and a 452 ft. monster by Marte in San Francisco. Not bad for a kid playing only his 25th major-league game.That was more or less that last hoorah for Arizona. Marte singled and stole second, but a groundout by Perdomo started a run of the seven final D-backs being retired in order, ending the game with the one-run margin in favor of the Cardinals. Taylor Clarke and Johnny Lasagna kept St. Louis off the board the rest of the way. Arizona did outhit their opponents 8-7 and also prevailed 3-0 in the XBH column. But they didn’t draw a single walk and, along with the RISP failings, that was likely the difference maker here. [Wait till you see the Deserve To Win chart in the comments…] Arizona drops back to .500, at the beginning of a tough series of games leading into the All-Star break. Click here for details, at Fangraphs.comThe Perfect Kiss: Taylor Clarke, +6%World in Motion: Geraldo Perdomo, -22%State of the Nation: Lourdes Gurriel, -10%Just shy of two hundred comments, which given the early start time here in Arizona, is quite respectable. There were some very respectable comments in the GDT, but the most rec’d ones tended to rely on GIF usage, which doesn’t translate very well to screenshots. So let’s give it to ChefAZ for this uplifting bit of news, on a night when our five-game streak of winning on Mondays came to an end.Tomorrow sees another 4:45 pm first pitch (AZ time), with team ace Eduardo Rodriguez – nope, still sounds weird – taking the mound for the D-backs. Probably our best chance of victory in the series, so fingers crossed the team gets back above .500.

Jun 11, 2026; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) reacts to a no call in the second half against the Chicago Sky at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn ImagesThe Indiana Fever snapped a two-game losing streak on Monday night with an 86-77 win over the Phoenix Mercury. Unfortunately for the Fever and star Caitlin Clark, it wasn’t all smooth sailing in the victory.Clark got into a heated exchange with former teammate DeWanna Bonner, leading to multiple players on both sides being awarded technical fouls, including Clark, who didn’t appear to do much to warrant receiving her fifth technical of the season.Refs are letting tech’s fly left and right, Caitlin Clark is not happy https://t.co/DZNTd37CBRpic.twitter.com/7zaWUSm9du— Clark Report (@CClarkReport) June 23, 2026Clark was highly critical of the officiatingIf Clark accumulates eight technicals on the season, she’ll be awarded an automatic one-game suspension, something she is well aware of. Clark did not hold back when sharing her frustrations with the officiating after the game.“It’s ridiculous, I got a technical for clapping,” she told media members in her post-game presser. “We should all just go on the calendar now and pick a game I’m going to be suspended for if I’m going to get technicals for clapping.”Fans on social media were just as upset as Clark was with her being assessed a technical for her involvement.“I’m not sure how Bonner stayed in the game. She should have had the offsetting double tech with Caitlin. Then should have gotten the second one with the shoving,” one fan posted on X.“Don’t even know what CC got a tech for. DB was the one going crazy and yelling,” another fan added.“This league is a joke,” wrote another fan.Clark is right about one thing… If the league doesn’t rescind the technical foul, she’ll be well on her way to a suspension. Hopefully, she and the league offices are able to reach an understanding before things get to that point.The post ‘It’s ridiculous’: Caitlin Clark furious at WNBA, calls for league to just suspend her appeared first on The Comeback: Today’s Top Sports Stories & Reactions.

Adverse weather conditions in Philadelphia forced a lengthy interruption of the World Cup match between France and Iraq on Monday.The match was suspended at half-time and the second half kicked off with a delay of more than two hours."Mentally, it was very exhausting because we had to stay concentrated and focused. Spending two hours in the locker room takes a lot of energy," said French star Kylian Mbappé, who scored two goals in the 3-0 win.A 30-minute break was initially announced by FIFA because of the risk of lightning in the vicinity of the stadium. However, the weather conditions didn't improve immediately and the break had to be extended."FIFA will follow the safety protocols established by the local authorities, and the match will resume as soon as it is safe to do so," the football governing body said in its live blog.TV footage showed the empty stands as fans took shelter from the rain during the match suspension.France coach Didier Deschamps shared with reporters what the team did to pass the time."We played cards. We joked around. It's a matter of safety. There's nothing you can do about rain and thunderstorms. It doesn't bother me. These are special circumstances. I hope it doesn't happen again," he said.Iraq coach Graham Arnold, meanwhile, used the time for some video analysis."The players had to stay relaxed and then get ready when play resumed. That was a unique experience. It's the first time something like that has happened to me in football. A two-hour delay makes it even harder for the players," he said.There were fears the start of the game would be delayed or that the match would have to be cancelled as heavy rain set in some three hours before the 5pm (2100 GMT) kick-off and thunder claps were also heard."Due to inclement weather in the region, gates opening will be delayed," Lincoln Financial Field said on X, advising fans "do not travel to Philadelphia Stadium at this time."But just over half an hour later an update said that "gates are now open."The safety procedures related to weather conditions had so far not been needed at the tournament but encountered during last year's Club World Cup and World Cup tune-up games.Based on weather service recommendations on outdoor activities, matches are delayed or stopped for 30 minutes if lightning strikes within 13 kilometres of a stadium. Every further lightning strike sets off the 30 minute rule again.Players are to leave the pitch and spectators are led to safer areas. Matches are continued in the minute they are stopped when play is possible again.

CHICAGO (AP) — Sam Antonacci had a walk-off two-run single in the bottom of the ninth inning after Cleveland scored twice in the top half to take the lead and the Chicago White Sox beat the Guardians 6-5 on Monday night.Rookie Braden Montgomery drew a one-out walk off Cade Smith (2-1) to start the White Sox rally and Tristan Peters followed with a double. Smith struck out pinch hitter Jacob Gonzalez before Antonacci delivered Chicago's sixth walk-off win of the season, tied for most in the majors.Chicago (40-37) snapped a three-game losing streak and pulled into a first-place tie with Cleveland (41-38) in the AL Central. The Guardians have lost 11 of their last 16 games.Cleveland scored three runs off reliever Glenn Taylor in the seventh to tie it 3-all and spoil a strong start by Anthony Kay. The left-hander retired 10 in a row before walking Kyle Manzardo with two outs in the sixth. Kay struck out Gabriel Arias on his career-high 101st pitch to keep it 2-0.Randall Grichuk gave Chicago a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the sixth with his eighth homer — a leadoff pinch-hit shot to left field off Tim Herrin after starter Gavin Williams struck out eight and allowed two runs on five hits in five innings.Taylor loaded the bases in the seventh before surrendering a pinch-hit two-run single to Kahlil Watson. Rhys Hoskins' RBI single tied it 3-3 before Bryan Hudson entered and struck out Manzardo to end the inning.Rookie Travis Bazzana drew a leadoff walk from Seranthony Domínguez to start the ninth before a steal and a wild pitch landed him on third. Patrick Bailey singled to tie it and Manzardo added a sacrifice fly off Chris Murphy (2-0) for a 5-4 lead. It was the fifth blown save in 17 opportunities for Domínguez.White Sox catcher Kyle Teel went 0 for 4 and struck out three times in his first game since injuring his hamstring while playing for Italy in the World Baseball Classic.Up nextGuardians LHP Parker Messick (7-3, 2.70) starts Tuesday opposite White Sox RHP Sean Burke (4-4, 3.89).___AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Darryn Peterson reveals he has no preferences about which team will draft him originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.Darryn Peterson is one of the top prospects ahead of the 2026 NBA Draft. Alongside AJ Dybantsa, Peterson has immense potential, which is why they are seen as the top two prospects. Alongside them are Cameron Boozer and Caleb Wilson, who complete this year's big four players.Despite rumors of Peterson only prioritizing the Washington Wizards, who hold the first overall pick, he has dispelled those rumors. In fact, Peterson has said that he is fine wherever he lands in the Draft.Darryn Peterson is ready to play for any team that picks himWith the Wizards holding the first overall pick, they face a tough selection between Dybantsa and Peterson. However, it seems the consensus from the NBA fans is that Dybantsa is the best choice between the two.This could fuel Peterson moving forward because if he does not go first overall, there is a good chance that he could drop to third to the Memphis Grizzlies. The Utah Jazz already has some promising guards, so he might not be the best pick there.MORE: The Utah Jazz face a franchise-altering decision with their draft selectionCameron Boozer has connections to the Jazz through his father, who is a former player who is currently working in the front office. This leads to Peterson possibly dropping from a potential first overall pick to third.Peterson has no issues with that because he is ready to play for any team. Dropping to Memphis could be good for him as well because they need a franchise-altering player who could be the next superstar due to Ja Morant's confusing situation."Just a decision that was made. I’m definitely not dodging any team. Whoever takes me, I’m going to come in and be delighted to be there. Wherever that happens to be, they’ll get the best me," Peterson said to HoopsHype's Michael Scotto.Peterson can realistically end up with the Wizards, Jazz, or Grizzlies. The Jazz are still a solid landing spot for him because he could combine with Keyonte George and Ace Bailey at the perimeter. However, it seems Peterson has no preferences now that the NBA Draft is here.More NBA news:AJ Dybantsa reveals that he did not need to do a workout with the Wizards and JazzDraymond Green's NBA comparison for the promising Cameron BoozerA comparison between Darry Peterson and Damian Lillard makes senseAJ Dybantsa gets honest about how the Wizards landed the first overall pickKeyonte George's bold claim about the Utah Jazz's 2026-27 season

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JUNE 17: Harry Kane #9 of England applauds fans after the 4-2 win during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group L match between England and Croatia at Dallas Stadium on June 17, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images) | Getty Images According to a report from Sky Germany journalist Florian Plettenberg (as captured by @iMiaSanMia_GER), Bayern Munich star Harry Kane just wants everyone to be patient. Despite some rumors swirling around him, Kane will talk to Bayern Munich about a new contract — just as soon as the World Cup is over: There have already been initial talks between Bayern and Harry Kane. Now, it has been agreed that everyone will stay relaxed and Kane will focus entirely on the World Cup for now. Right after the World Cup, they want to enter into direct negotiations. All bosses want to extend with Kane. Bayern wants to extend until at least 2029. Kane can very well imagine staying and is not talking to any other clubs. A final decision will only be made after the World Cup.Kane has been locked in and focused all season on the task at-hand. A beast for Bayern Munich, Kane picked up right where he left off in club season for England by earning FIFA Player of the Match vs. Croatia. At this point, Kane has earned some trust, even in these completely odd times. Let’s just hope that he doesn’t delete all of his Instagram photos, too. Song of the Week: “Show Me How to Live” by AudioslaveWe had previously featured “Cochise” by Audioslave a few years ago, but that was not the only banger that the supergroup put out. Released in 2003, it hit hard and while it was a notch below the greatness of “Cochise” it was sill a great song. Enjoy: Standing on a corner in Tustin, California…Because I am dolt, I had to make a run to Dick’s Sporting Goods while I am here in California and the nearest one to me was in Tustin, so off I went. After grabbing what I needed, I exited the store and there was a circle of four pre-teen or early teen girls seated on the sidewalk in a circle.I was ambling by when I heard, “That’s Haaland, he’s the f***ing GOAT!” — which caught my attention (moreso for referencing Haaland than the drop of the F bomb). In one respect, I wanted to turn and see what the hell they were doing, but in another respect, I did not want to be a creep, so I did a quick turn as if I was looking back into the store to see that they had some kind of trading card packs and were opening them. While apropos of nothing, it was a cool moment to see a few young kids in the United States psyched up about football — and specifically about Haaland. The times they are a changin’…Entertainment RundownHouse of the DragonJust a reminder that the third season of HBO’s House of the Dragon debuts this weekend — and it should be better than the first two (fingers crossed), which were not great. If you missed the trailer, here you go: Prediction: Germany 5-0 Curaçao (W)Other World Cup predictions include: Thursday, June 11, 2026Mexico 2-1 South Africa (W)South Korea 2-1 Czechia (W)***Friday, June 12, 2026Canada 2-1 Bosnia & Herzegovina (L)United States 3-2 Paraguay (W)Saturday, June 13, 2026Qatar 0-3 Switzerland (L)Brazil 3-2 Morocco (L)Haiti 1-2 Scotland (W)Sunday, June 14, 2026Australia 0-3 Türkiye (L)Netherlands 3-1 Japan (L)Ivory Coast 1-2 Ecuador (L)Sweden 1-0 Tunisia (W)Monday, June 15, 2026Spain 5-0 Cape Verde (L)Belgium 3-1 Egypt (L)Saudi Arabia 0-2 Uruguay (L)Iran 1-0 New Zealand (L)Tuesday, June 16, 2026France 3-0 Senegal (W)Iraq 0-4 Norway (W)Argentina 3-0 Algeria (W)***Wednesday, June 17, 2026Austria 2-0 Jordan (W)Portugal 3-0 Congo DR (L)England 3-1 Croatia (W)Ghana 2-1 Panama (W)Uzbekistan 1-3 Colombia (W)Thursday, June 18, 2026Czechia 2-1 South Africa (L)Switzerland 2-0 Bosnia-Herzegovina (W)Canada 2-0 Qatar (W)Mexico 2-1 South Korea (W)Through Thursday’s games — we stand at 16-12 (not great) with 2 perfect picks.Totals will not be compiled until the end of the group stage.Friday, June 19, 2026United States 2-1 AustraliaScotland 1-2 MoroccoBrazil 3-0 HaitiTürkiye 2-1 ParaguaySaturday, June 20, 2026Netherlands 2-0 SwedenGermany 2-1 Ivory CoastEcuador 3-0 CuraçaoSunday, June 21, 2026Tunisia 1-2 JapanSpain 3-0 Saudi ArabiaBelgium 2-0 IranUruguay 2-0 Cape VerdeNew Zealand 0-1 EgyptTuesday, June 23, 2026Portugal 3-0 UzbekistanEngland 3-1 GhanaPanama 0-3 CroatiaColombia 2-1 Congo DRWednesday, June 24, 2026Bosnia & Herzegovina 2-0 QatarSwitzerland 2-1 CanadaMorocco 3-0 HaitiScotland 1-4 BrazilCzechia 1-2 MexicoSouth Africa 1-2 South KoreaThursday, June 25, 2026Curaçao 0-2 Ivory CoastEcuador 1-2 GermanyJapan 2-1 SwedenTunisia 0-2 NetherlandsParaguay 1-1 AustraliaTürkiye 3-2 United StatesFriday, June 26, 2026Norway 2-3 FranceSenegal 2-1 IraqCape Verde 1-1 Saudi ArabiaUruguay 1-3 SpainEgypt 1-0 IranNew Zealand 1-2 BelgiumSaturday, June 27, 2026Croatia 1-0 GhanaPanama 0-4 EnglandColombia 2-4 PortugalCongo DR 1-0 UzbekistanAlgeria 0-2 AustriaJordan 0-4 ArgentinaPrediction RecordsTotal: 50-30Perfect Picks: 12Bundesliga Last Matchday: 0-0Bundesliga Overall: 0-0DFB-Pokal: 0-0World Cup: 0-0International Friendlies: 50-30Champions League: 0-0Club Friendlies: 0-0Franz Beckenbauer Supercup: 0-0Join the conversation!Sign up for a user account and get:New, improved notifications system!Fewer adsCreate community postsComment on articles, community postsRec comments, community posts

The first major trade this NBA offseason was announced by ESPN’s Shams Charania on Monday. The Minnesota Timberwolves shipped Julius Randle to the Brooklyn Nets in a three-team trade with the Chicago Bulls. The three-time All-Star’s return to New York came nearly two years after the Knicks included him in the deal for Karl-Anthony Towns.Randle played 79 regular-season games for the Timberwolves this past season. He posted averages of 21.1 points, 6.7 rebounds, 5.0 assists and a career-high 1.0 steals per game. However, his numbers dipped in the playoffs, recording 16.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 0.5 steals.MORE: 3 team NBA blockbuster trade involving Giannis Antetokounmpo gaining momentumMinnesota received the No. 33 pick this year, while the Bulls got Nic Claxton. The transaction gives the Timberwolves more salary cap flexibility they can use for exceptions, as well as retaining key contributors.Towns, on the other hand, was a big piece of the Knicks’ championship run. He suited up in 75 games in the regular season and helped his team secure the East’s No. 3 seed. The 7-foot center showcased his elite skill set in the Finals, defending Victor Wembanyama and producing strong numbers against him.Minnesota Timberwolves forward Julius Randle looks on against the Golden State Warriors – Jesse Johnson-Imagn ImagesRevisiting Knicks-Timberwolves swap of Julius Randle and Karl-Anthony TownsOn Oct. 2, 2024, New York sent a huge haul to Minnesota to secure Towns’ services. It was a three-team deal that included the Charlotte Hornets.The Knicks parted ways with Randle, Donte DiVincenzo, Keita Bates-Diop and a future first-round pick. The Hornets received multiple second-rounds, while New York also gained the rights the draft rights to James Nnaji. The deal will go down as one of the most important in Knicks franchise history. They ended their 53-year championship drought this year, with Towns playing a major role in it. Meanwhile, Randle and Minnesota failed to reach the finals, and he now finds himself back in New York, but with its other team.

Giannis Antetokounmpo has been traded from the Milwaukee Bucks to the Miami Heat in a blockbuster deal, according to multiple reports.The trade culminates more than a year of speculation that the two-time MVP and franchise stalwart wouldn't finish his career with the Bucks team that drafted him. It arrives on the heels of 32-50 season in Milwaukee in which the Bucks finished nine games out of the playoffs.Speculation about Antetokounmpo's exit started before the 2025-26 season began. As the losses piled up, so did the tension in Milwaukee. After home fans booed the Bucks during a blowout loss to the Timberwolves on Jan. 13, Antetokounmpo pointed two thumbs down and booed them back. Antetokounmpo's final season in Milwaukee was also one that was plagued by injury. He remained a force when available, averaging 27.6 points, 9.8 rebounds and 5.4 assists per game. But he was limited to a career low 36 games at 31 years old.Antetokounmpo sustained his second calf injury of the season in January. He returned to play six games in March but missed Milwaukee's final 15 games amid a lost Bucks season and the trade speculation that ultimately overwhelmed his final campaign in Milwaukee.That speculation only amplified ahead of the NBA Draft amid reports that Antetokounmpo wanted out and had preferred destinations.Bitter end to one of Bucks' best erasThe deal marks an end to the franchise's most successful era since Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Oscar Robertson led Milwaukee to two Finals appearances and an NBA championship in the early 1970s. The Bucks selected Antetokounmpo with the No. 15 pick in the 2013 NBA Draft as a raw, high-upside prospect with an enormous physical tool set. He delivered on that upside and more. The trade of Giannis Antetokounmpo marks a bitter end to one of the best Milwaukee Bucks eras.Patrick McDermott via Getty ImagesAntetokounmpo spent his rookie season developing off the bench as a 19-year-old before joining the starting lineup full-time in his second NBA season. He made his first All-Star team in his fourth season in Milwaukee and has been an All-Star in eight seasons since, as a dominant two-way force.Antetokounmpo won the first of his two consecutive NBA MVP awards after the 2018-19 season. He also won Defensive Player of the Year alongside his second MVP award the following season. In 2020-21, Antetokounmpo completed his NBA resumé. Playing alongside Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday, Antetokounmpo led the Bucks to the franchise's second NBA championship. The only major accomplishment now missing from his career as a pro is entry into the Hall of Fame, which is a certainty as soon as he's put on the ballot.Milwaukee's decline preceded Antetokounmpo's exitMilwaukee didn't maintain its contender status after winning the 2021 championship and hasn't advanced past the second round of the playoffs since. It's suffered first-round playoff exits in each of the last three postseasons. Middleton and Holiday are both gone, and Milwaukee's attempts to rebuild another contender around Antetokounmpo fizzled with Damian Lillard's Achilles tendon tear during the 2025 postseason.The Bucks exceeded expectations early in the 2025-26 season with a 6-3 start. But they quickly faded out of contention as the drama around Antetokounmpo's status took over. Now they'll engage in a full-blown rebuild following the exit of a franchise icon. Antetokounmpo is playing on a three-year, $186 million contract extension that he signed in 2023 in the aftermath of Milwaukee's trade to acquire Lillard. That extension includes a player option for the 2027-28 season.This breaking news story will be updated.

Timberwolves acquire 6-foot-9 ex-Celtics forward in blockbuster three-team Julius Randle trade originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.It’s safe to say the Minnesota Timberwolves were among the most productive franchises in the league on Monday night. Per a report from ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Timberwolves traded Julius Randle and the No. 28 2026 NBA Draft pick in a blockbuster three-team trade that nets the Chicago Bulls Nic Claxton and Minnesota the No. 28 overall pick in the upcoming draft. Shortly after Charania broke the news on X/Twitter, The Stein Line’s Jake Fisher stated that the Bulls are sending a former Dallas Mavericks forward to Minnesota to finalize the deal.“The Bulls are trading Mo Gueye to Minnesota, sources say, to complete the three-team deal that sends Julius Randle and No. 28 in tomorrow’s NBA Draft to Brooklyn for No. 33, and reroutes Nic Claxton into Chicago’s cap space in the new league year,” Fischer noted. “Gueye’s salary is non-guaranteed for 2026-27.”Gueye is still finding his footing in the big leagues. The 27-year-old is a high-energy bench contributor who gets after it on both ends.However, the Pittsburgh product's slim frame and offensive limitations make it challenging for him to finish over stronger, more athletic big men in the paint, which explains his interior scoring efficiency still leaves much to be desired.Still, even if Gueye struggles with the Timberwolves early on, the fact that the franchise completed what Charnaia called a salary-freeing trade centered on Randle will create extreme optimism for the future.More NBA news:Spurs predicted to cut ties with $56 million rising star, acquire ex-Bulls All-Rookie forwardSpurs predicted to outbid Warriors for $101 million Lakers star, four-time NBA championLuka Doncic sends clear message to Lakers on roster they can't afford to ignore

Timberwolves set for another move after Julius Randle trade, but it's not Giannis originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.The Minnesota Timberwolves traded Julius Randle away on Monday night, a headline-grabbing move that flew under the rumor radar before it actually happened.It was a three-team deal, with the Brooklyn Nets getting Randle, the Chicago Bulls getting Nic Claxton and the Wolves essentially dumping Randle's salary with a small decline in draft pick, too.The reason for the move wasn't Giannis Antetokounmpo, as some may have initially wondered.It was for Ayo Dosunmu.This is what ESPN's Shams Charania wrote on X after the deal was reported:"Timberwolves free up significant salary with the remaining two years of Randle's deal, giving them more flexibility to retain Ayo Dosunmu and use exceptions. Nets acquire a three-time All-Star and two-time All-NBA forward in Randle into their cap space -- plus a first-rounder. Chicago uses part of its space on a talented athletic center, a position of need, with $30 million in room left."MORE: Celtics' Jaylen Brown trade offer for Giannis takes shapeAnd less than two hours later, the Dosunmu news arrived."Free agent guard Ayo Dosunmu intends to sign a five-year, $112 million contract to return to the Minnesota Timberwolves, with a player option in the fifth season, sources tell ESPN," Charania wrote. "Timberwolves made it a major priority to lock in Dosunmu after his tremendous postseason."By doing this two-pronged move, the Timberwolves remove some size in favor of some perimeter skill.Minnesota still has Rudy Gobert and Naz Reid to lead the interior. Dosunmu is a huge piece to keep on the outside.Randle had to go, but the Timberwolves have made clear their priority now. Anthony Edwards keeps a big help in the guard rotation in the form of Dosunmu.More NBA news:Why Bucks trading Giannis before the draft makes senseThis is what a Timberwolves trade for Derrick White would look likeHow Grizzlies' Ja Morant trade depends on GiannisWarriors want Kawhi Leonard, but there's a problem

FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - JUNE 16: Erling Haaland #9 of Norway poses with the Michelob Ultra Player of the Match Trophy during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group I match between Iraq and Norway at Boston Stadium on June 16, 2026 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Patrick Smith - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images) | FIFA via Getty Images Norway and Manchester City striker Erling Haaland powered his country to victory in their 2026 World Cup opener against Iraq, scoring two goals to help the Vikings register their first goals and three points in the World Cup since 1998. Speaking after the match, the 25-year-old was asked if he believed he was the best striker in the world right now and he gave a very honest assessment.“I would say I’m up there, I don’t think I scored the most goals this season,” Haaland said (BBC Sport as captured by X account @iMiaSanMia). “So, statistically no, I’m not. Harry Kane and [Kylian] Mbappé scored more goals than me, so I’m not.”That was nice seeing Haaland give an answer that wasn’t disparaging. He knows he’s an elite forward and at the same time acknowledges the abilities that players like Kane and Mbappé have. Kane and England will take on Croatia next, while Mbappé is fresh off scoring a brace against Senegal in France’s first World Cup match.

Sam Antonacci lined a game-ending, two-run single with two outs in the ninth inning to lift the host Chicago White Sox to a 6-5 victory over the Cleveland Guardians on Monday, June 22.Chicago, which led 3-0 after six innings, rallied to win the opener of a three-game American League Central showdown series to tie Cleveland atop the division.Antonacci went 2-for-4 with three RBIs and Braden Montgomery also had two hits. The White Sox delivered against Guardians closer Cade Smith (2-1) after Seranthony Dominguez blew his second save in the top of the inning.Smith, the major league saves leader, suffered a blown save for the first time since April 14.Cleveland challenged the call that Tristan Peters scored the winning run but the play was upheld on replay review.Brayan Rocchio went 3-for-5 for the Guardians and Kyle Manzardo capped a two-run ninth with an RBI sacrifice fly on a play overturned by replay.Antonacci grounded a go-ahead RBI single in the seventh inning to put the White Sox ahead 4-3.Chicago built a 3-0 lead after six innings. Montgomery opened the scoring with a two-out RBI double in the second. The White Sox added to the advantage on Andrew Benintendi's run-scoring single one inning later.Randal Grichuk greeted Guardians reliever Tim Herrin with a pinch-hit solo home run to lead off the sixth. It was his third pinch-hit blast of the season and eighth overall.Cleveland took little time to respond, rallying for three seventh-inning runs against Grant Taylor. After allowing a leadoff walk and single to the first two batters he faced, Taylor got a strikeout and walk ahead of pinch-hitter Kahlil Watson, who grounded a two-run single to the right side for his first major league hit.Rhys Hoskins' two-out RBI single to center tied the game at 3.Guardians starter Gavin Williams took a no-decision after spacing two runs and five hits in five innings with one walk and eight strikeouts. Williams bookended his night effectively, retiring the first five and final eight batters he faced.Chicago counterpart Anthony Kay also fanned eight over six scoreless innings. Kay limited Cleveland to three hits while walking two.Winner Chris Murphy (2-0) notched the last two outs for Chicago.White Sox catcher Kyle Teel, who started the season on the injured list with hamstring and knee injuries, was 0-for-4 with three strikeouts in his 2026 debut.The Akron Beacon Journal sports department can be contacted via email at bjsports@thebeaconjournal.com. This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Sam Antonacci hits 2-out, 2-run single in 9th to lift White Sox to win