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ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates -- Team USA has relocated halfway across the world but is still in a holding pattern with star Kevin Durant, who missed practice again Saturday with a calf strain and likely won't play when the Americans face Australia in a friendly set for Monday. Coach Steve Kerr has been publicly downplaying any concern about the injury but pushed back his timeline before leading the team through practice. "I know there's still a couple of weeks before we have to make a decision roster-wise," Kerr said. "So we're just taking it day by day." For weeks, Team USA had a contingency plan in place if Kawhi Leonard wasn't able to play in the Olympics as he recovered from a knee injury, lining up Derrick White as the probable replacement in early June. The Americans made that move Wednesday, releasing Leonard and putting White on the roster as they broke training camp in Las Vegas. If the team has a backup plan for Durant, it is keeping it under...

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates -- Team USA has relocated halfway across the world but is still in a holding pattern with star Kevin Durant, who missed practice again Saturday with a calf strain and likely won't play when the Americans face Australia in a friendly set for Monday. Coach Steve Kerr has been publicly downplaying any concern about the injury but pushed back his timeline before leading the team through practice. "I know there's still a couple of weeks before we have to make a decision roster wise," Kerr said. "So we're just taking it day by day." For weeks, Team USA had a contingency plan in place if Kawhi Leonard wasn't able to play in the coming Olympics as he recovered from a knee injury, lining up Derrick White as the probable replacement in early June. They made that move Wednesday, releasing Leonard and putting White on the roster as they broke training camp in Las Vegas. If the team has a backup plan for Durant in the event he isn't able to...

LAS VEGAS -- Denver Nuggets first-round pick DaRon Holmes suffered a torn Achilles and is likely to miss the 2024-25 season, league sources confirmed to ESPN. Holmes suffered the injury Friday during the Nuggets' 88-78 loss to the LA Clippers in their summer league opener. He left Cox Pavilion on crutches. Holmes, drafted 22nd overall out of Dayton, had 11 points and seven rebounds in 26 minutes.  The injury is a big blow to the Nuggets' depth. At 6-foot-9, Holmes was expected to be a primary backup big for Denver this season. The Athletic was first to report Holmes' injury.

LAS VEGAS -- Bronny James said he will welcome any assignment in his first season as a professional, as long as it comes with a chance to play and improve as a basketball player. "I'm just looking forward to any basketball I play -- no matter what level I'm playing at," James said after the  Los Angeles Lakers' 99-80 loss to the  Houston Rockets in L.A.'s opening game in the Las Vegas Summer League on Friday. James was asked about the possibility of spending time in the G League after Houston's Cam Whitmore -- the No. 20 pick in the 2023 draft -- finished with 20 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals. As a rookie, Whitmore played 13 games for Houston's G League affiliate -- the Rio Grande Valley Vipers -- and averaged 26.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.1 steals. After scoring a quick six points to put L.A. up 13-10 midway through the first quarter against Houston, James struggled on offense the rest of the way, finishing...

For over three weeks, the Baltimore Orioles and New York Yankees have been in sort of a joint slump -- not enough to knock them out of the top two spots in the American League East, but frustrating nonetheless. When they met for one more intense series heading into the All-Star break, emotions eventually exploded. Orioles outfielder Heston Kjerstad was hit in the helmet by a 97 mph pitch from Yankees closer Clay Holmes, and the benches emptied in the bottom of the ninth inning of New York's 4-1 victory Friday night. "There was just some chirping back and forth," Yankees slugger Aaron Judge said. "I know we've gotten quite a few of their guys with hit by pitches. They've gotten us. Kind of boiled over there." With one out, Holmes' pitch hit Kjerstad around the ear flap. After a delay, Kjerstad was able to get up but left the game. Then things escalated, with Orioles manager Brandon Hyde walking toward the New York dugout and...

Tracy Cortez made weight for her UFC main event in an unusual way. Needing to lose roughly half a pound to get down to 126 pounds for her flyweight bout against Rose Namajunas, Cortez cut off a fistful of her hair. That did the trick, as she officially weighed in at 126 pounds on the dot Friday. Cortez then posed for the cameras, clipped hair in hand. "What was it, .5 (pounds)?" she told ESPN afterward. "I was like, 'No hesitation. We'll do whatever it takes. This is a big opportunity.'"  Cortez, 30, and her new bob will face Namajunas in the headliner Saturday night in Denver. Namajunas, who came in at 124.75 pounds Friday, was originally slated to fight Maycee Barber, but Barber withdrew due to ongoing health issues. Cortez is 11-1 in her MMA career with 11 straight wins. Namajunas (12-6), though, is a -235 favorite, according to ESPN BET. Field Level Media contributed to this report.

LAS VEGAS -- The NBA unveiled the groups for the second edition of the NBA Cup on Friday night, with last year's winner, the  Los Angeles Lakers, landing in a group featuring  Victor Wembanyama's  San Antonio Spurs, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's  Oklahoma City Thunder and Kevin Durant's  Phoenix Suns. The Golden State Warriors and Dallas Mavericks wound up in another group, setting up the potential first meeting between Klay Thompson and his former team. All 30 teams will begin competing in the group stage of the NBA Cup on Nov. 12. The Lakers won the inaugural version of the event last year, which was then called the in-season tournament and is now the Emirates NBA Cup. They landed in West Group B, which is rounded out by the Utah Jazz. The toughest group might be West Group C, which in addition to the Warriors and Mavericks also features the Denver Nuggets, New Orleans Pelicans...

Canada coach Jesse Marsch, a former candidate for the U.S. men's national team coaching role, has insisted he has "no interest" in replacing Gregg Berhalter as USMNT boss. Berhalter was fired Wednesday after the USMNT's poor showing at the 2024 Copa América, in which the hosts failed to get past the group stage after defeats to Uruguay and Panama. "I'm not leaving this job, I have no interest in the U.S. job," Marsch told a news conference Friday ahead of Canada's Copa America third-place playoff against Uruguay in Charlotte, North Carolina. "And to be fair, unless there's a big shift in the organization, I don't think that I'll ever have any interest in that job in the future. So I'm really happy here, I couldn't be happier actually in terms of what it's like to work with the leaders in this organization and what it's like to work with this team." American Marsch, who previously managed Leeds United in the Premier League, was thought to be...

Mexico coach Jaime "Jimmy" Lozano is on the cusp of departing the national team, with Javier Aguirre lined up as his likely replacement, sources confirmed to ESPN Mexico.  Lozano, currently on the hot seat after suffering a group stage exit in the Copa América, turned down an offer to stay on as assistant for Aguirre after a denial of his request to maintain his staff within the structure of the Mexican Football Federation (FMF), sources said. Aguirre and the FMF are expected to engage in talks next week that could lead to his El Tri return after previously leading the national team as coach on two separate occasions (2001-02, 2009-10). At the Copa América, Lozano and his roster fell short of expectations with an early exit that featured just one goal in three games. Despite being unable to earn a place in the tournament's knockout phase, Mexico sporting director Duilio Davino initially stated that " the project continues" under Lozano, but also noted...

Former Northwestern offensive coordinator Mike Bajakian is suing the school for defamation and spreading false information for its actions during the hazing scandal that rocked the program last summer. Bajakian, who was fired in December and now works as an offensive analyst at  Utah, named Northwestern, university president Michael Schill and athletic director Derrick Gragg in his lawsuit, filed Tuesday in Cook County Circuit Court. His lawsuit states that Schill's decision to fire coach Pat Fitzgerald, just days after announcing a two-week suspension for the coach and the findings of its own external investigation into hazing claims, cast Bajakian and other staff members "in a false and misleading light." Although Fitzgerald was the only football staff member fired in July 2023, Bajakian claims that the university's response "created, perpetuated and encouraged a false and misleading narrative" about his conduct and others on the staff, and was only done in...

LAS VEGAS -- The NBA summer league in Las Vegas started off with a touching tribute to the legendary Jerry West. Prior to tipoff of the first game Friday between the Minnesota Timberwolves and New Orleans Pelicans, a nearly 20-minute tribute was held for West, who died on June 12 at the age of 86. A three-minute video tribute played before Rod Thorn and Mitch Kupchak talked about one of their closest friends. "When you look at Jerry, you are looking at one of the greatest players in the history of the game," Thorn, who played with West at West Virginia, said. "Certainly goes down as one of the two or three greatest general managers in the history of the game. A combination you don't see very often. "... When I was a sophomore, junior in high school, he was my idol. It's a tremendous loss for not only the basketball community but also this country. A great man, and I can't say enough about all the great times we had and how wonderful he was to me." The...

Pittsburgh Pirates rookie ace Paul Skenes is disrupting the betting market, causing odds to move dramatically overnight and even prompting one sportsbook to halt betting on the National League Rookie of the Year altogether, figuring the race was already decided. Skenes has been that good. On Thursday, Skenes tossed seven hitless innings and recorded 11 strikeouts in the Pirates' 1-0 win over Milwaukee. Entering the game, ESPN BET had Skenes listed at 30-1 to win the NL Cy Young Award. By Friday morning, after he was named the NL's starter in the All-Star Game, Skenes was 13-2 to win the Cy Young, a remarkable one-day change not often seen at sportsbooks. Skenes, who began the year in the minors, opened as long as 200-1 to win the Cy Young after being called up in May. He now has the third-shortest Cy Young odds in the NL, behind only Zack Wheeler (+160) of the Philadelphia Phillies and Chris Sale (+165) of the Atlanta Braves, the two...

Uruguay head coach Marcelo Bielsa defended his players' involvement in clashes with Colombia fans following their Copa América semifinal match at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, before criticizing the U.S. and CONMEBOL over the organization of the competition.  Following Uruguay's semifinal loss, players could be seen climbing into the stands to fight with opposing fans. Darwin Núñez and Ronaldo Araújo were among those involved, while captain José María Giménez said the players were simply trying to defend family members. However, South America soccer's governing body, CONMEBOL,  has announced an investigation into the incidents, which also saw players from Colombia and Uruguay involved in a confrontation on the field after the final whistle. "One has to speak thinking about all the threats he will receive if he speaks," an angry Bielsa said in a prematch news conference on Friday. "So, the only thing I can tell you is...

In a largely unprecedented financial concession to give roster flexibility to a contending franchise, New York Knicks All-NBA guard Jalen Brunson has agreed to a four-year, $156.5 million contract extension -- $113 million less guaranteed than he is eligible to sign for a year from now -- his agent, Sam Rose of CAA, told ESPN on Friday. The deal, which begins in 2025-26 and will cost Brunson $37.1 million over the next three years, comes with a fourth-year player option, Rose said, and that would set up Brunson to recoup the $113 million on a four-year, $323 million maximum extension in 2028 or a new five-year, $418 million deal in 2029. Brunson, 27, became eligible to negotiate and sign the maximum extension Friday. While there is an inherent risk of injury and unforeseen complications that come with Brunson's decision to push back his most lucrative NBA paydays, his priority remains to maximize the prime of his career with the franchise's most talented and...

Carlos Alcaraz is only a couple of months past his 21st birthday, and yet this whole Grand Slam success thing is already a bit been-there, done-that for him. Moving a step closer to a second consecutive Wimbledon trophy and fourth major championship overall, Alcaraz overcame a shaky start Friday to beat Daniil Medvedev 6-7 (1), 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 in the semifinals at Centre Court. "I feel like I'm not new anymore. I feel like I know how I'm going to feel before the final. I've been in this position before," Alcaraz said. "I will try to do the things that I did well last year and try to be better." Like last year, his opponent in the title match will be Novak Djokovic, who advanced with a 6-4, 7-6 (2), 6-4 victory against No. 25 seed Lorenzo Musetti in the second semifinal. Djokovic won 15 of 16 points when he went to the net in the first set and finished 43-for-56 in that category. It will be the first time the same two men meet in consecutive Wimbledon...

After coming to the rescue to save UFC 303, light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira has a date in mind for his return and plans to defend his light heavyweight title in his next fight, but he is still focused on challenging Jon Jones for the undisputed heavyweight championship in the near future. Pereira addressed his fighting future on his YouTube channel following his second-round stoppage of JiYí Procházka in the main event of UFC 303 on June 29. Given that he has fought twice in less than three months, "Poatan" said he will take some time off to recover but plans to be back before the end of 2024. "I want to rest a little," Pereira said, noting that he is nursing two broken toes. "But I think December would be a good date for me." Pereira, 37, has been one of the most active fighters in the UFC, fighting five times in 15 months. He headlined UFC 300 against Jamahal Hill on April 13 then faced Prochazka on short notice when Conor...

After coming to the rescue to save UFC 303, light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira has a date in mind for his return and plans to defend his light heavyweight title in his next fight, but he is still focused on challenging Jon Jones for the undisputed heavyweight championship in the near future. Pereira addressed his fighting future on his YouTube channel following his second-round stoppage of JiYí Procházka in the main event of UFC 303 on June 29. Given that he has fought twice in less than three months, "Poatan" said he will take some time off to recover but plans to be back before the end of 2024. "I want to rest a little," Pereira said, noting that he is nursing two broken toes. "But I think December would be a good date for me." Pereira, 37, has been one of the most active fighters in the UFC, fighting five times in 15 months. He headlined UFC 300 against Jamahal Hill on April 13 then faced Prochazka on short notice when Conor...

LAS VEGAS -- Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry has made it clear that he would like to remain a member of the only NBA team he has ever played for for the remainder of his career. And the Warriors are on the same page. Curry, 36, whose contract is set to end after the 2025-26 season, is eligible to extend for an extra year this summer. While it's not the most pressing issue on Golden State's to-do list as it navigates the remainder of free agency, it's something the Warriors' front office has on its radar. "That guy can get whatever he wants," Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy said in a news conference Friday. "It's been a sprint here getting through the draft and free agency and summer league, but all of that will get figured out. Steph, I think I can say pretty confidently, that he will be a Warrior for life." Taking advantage of the rest of Curry's prime is the No. 1 priority for the Warriors, especially as they turn the page on Klay...

LAS VEGAS -- Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry has made it clear that he would like to remain a member of the only NBA team he has ever played for for the remainder of his career. And the Warriors are on the same page. Curry, 36, whose contract is set to end after the 2025-26 season, is eligible to extend for an extra year this summer. While it's not the most pressing issue on Golden State's to-do list as it navigates the remainder of free agency, it's something the Warriors' front office has on its radar. "That guy can get whatever he wants," Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy said in a news conference Friday. "It's been a sprint here getting through the draft and free agency and summer league, but all of that will get figured out. Steph, I think I can say pretty confidently, that he will be a Warrior for life." Taking advantage of the rest of Curry's prime is the No. 1 priority for the Warriors, especially as they turn the page on Klay...

The Phoenix Mercury's new practice facility will have its two courts dedicated to franchise superstar Diana Taurasi, the team said Friday, and will have its grand opening next Thursday to kick off WNBA All-Star weekend. The U.S. Olympic 5-on-5 team will face Team WNBA in the All-Star Game at Footprint Center on July 20 (8:30 p.m. ET, ABC). The All-Star Skills Challenge and the 3-point Shooting Contest also will be at Footprint Center on July 19 (9 p.m. ET, ESPN). Mat Ishbia officially became owner of the Suns and Mercury in 2023 and said it was a priority to him to get the WNBA team its own practice facility. Having its grand opening coincide with the All-Star Game is part of the celebration of the Mercury, one of the original WNBA franchises dating back to 1997. "This is going to be state of the art, first class, and the why behind it is we want to invest in our team," Ishbia told ESPN on Friday. "We believe in our sport, we believe in the WNBA and we believe in...

Restricted free agent guard Johnny Juzang has agreed on a four-year, $12 million deal to return to the Utah Jazz, sources told ESPN on Friday. Juzang, 23, played on consecutive two-way contracts with the Jazz after going undrafted out of UCLA and now lands a long-term deal as part of the franchise's rebuild. Juzang averaged 7.2 points in 20 games for Utah a year ago. He started his college career at Kentucky, playing behind Tyrese Maxey and Immanuel Quickley before transferring to UCLA. Juzang shot 41.6% on 3-pointers for the Jazz in his limited appearances last season.

Restricted free agent guard Johnny Juzang has agreed on a four-year, $12 million deal to return to the Utah Jazz, sources told ESPN on Friday. Juzang, 23, played on consecutive two-way contracts with the Jazz after going undrafted out of UCLA and now lands a long-term deal as part of the franchise's rebuild. Juzang averaged 7.2 points in 20 games for Utah a year ago. He started his college career at Kentucky, playing behind Tyrese Maxey and Immanuel Quickley before transferring to UCLA. Juzang shot 41.6 percent on three-pointers for the Jazz in his limited appearances last season.

Stephen Curry said he doesn't think there will be another dynasty in the NBA like the one the Golden State Warriors had. Curry, in the wake of Klay Thompson's departure last week to the Dallas Mavericks, told ESPN that he believes what the Warriors built with Thompson, Draymond Green and himself is unlikely to be repeated. "I mean obviously defining a dynasty can take a lot of different looks," Curry said in an interview with ESPN's Malika Andrews. "People thought this was over in 2019 ... but 2022 was an amazing championship because we defied the odds ... That's 11 years of almost 12 years of championship relevancy built around a certain core. "I don't think [it will be replicated] just because it's very hard to keep things together in this league. A lot more player movement. Me, Klay and Draymond, we complemented each other so well for so long. We all brought something different to the table, so we'll see. Records are meant to be broken....

Rookie sensation Paul Skenes of the Pittsburgh Pirates will start for the National League at Tuesday's All-Star Game in Arlington, Texas. The right-hander, 22, was the No. 1 pick in the 2023 draft and has started only 11 games in the major leagues. National League All-Star manager Torey Lovullo of the Arizona Diamondbacks informed Skenes and the public of his decision Friday morning by calling into Skenes' interview on the "Dan Patrick Show." "Paul, first of all, how are you doing? I just wanted to congratulate you. I've chosen you to be the starter for the National League in the 2024 All-Star Game," Lovullo said. "I'm really, really excited for you. Unbelievable honor. So well deserved. We're super excited to make this announcement. "You represent so many great things that this game craves. It's such a great story. The way you've come on the scene, the way you've done it with such humbleness, it's noticeable. I'll be honored to be your manager. I'll be...

HARRISON, N.J. -- Forward Catarina Macario will miss the Olympics with what United States women's national team head coach Emma Hayes called "knee irritation" that developed during training this week. Forward Lynn Williams, who participated in the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 and the 2023 World Cup, will replace Macario on the USWNT's 2024 Olympic roster. Defender Emily Sams will assume Williams' place as one of four alternates for the USWNT. Sams had been training with the USWNT this week. All those moves are still pending approval from the International Olympic Committee, United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee and FIFA, since the deadline for final rosters has already passed. "She's devastated," Hayes said of Macario. "It's not a long-term situation; [she's] just not going to recover in time. "I'm absolutely gutted for Cat. She's someone who has worked hard within the last 12 months. She's really put in a shift to get there, but it's not to...

HARRISON, N.J. -- Forward Catarina Macario will miss the Olympics due to what United States women's national team head coach Emma Hayes called "knee irritation" that developed during training this week. Forward Lynn Williams, who participated in the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 and the 2023 World Cup, will replace Macario on the USWNT's 2024 Olympic roster. Defender Emily Sams will assume the place of Williams as one of four alternates for the USWNT. Sams had been training with the USWNT this week. All those moves are still pending approval from the ICO, USOPC, and FIFA, since the deadline for final rosters has already passed. "She's devastated," Hayes said of Macario. "It's not a long-term situation; [she's] just not going to recover in time. "I'm absolutely gutted for Cat. She's someone who has worked hard within the last 12 months. She's really put in a shift to get there but it's not to be." Hayes said that Macario will return to London to get...

Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel is now the favorite to win the Heisman Trophy with +750 odds at ESPN BET after moving past Georgia quarterback Carson Beck and Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers in an atypical July change for college football's highest honor. Beck and Ewers, who had been the favorites since February, are +800 and +900, respectively. Gabriel began July with 10-1 odds at ESPN BET. He had been as long as 14-1 at other sportsbooks before an uptick of action showed up on the Ducks quarterback over the Fourth of July holiday weekend. The SuperBook in Las Vegas started receiving bets on Gabriel on Sunday, causing his odds to tighten from 14-1 to 9-1. "I think there were some maybe influential people that hopped on it and said they liked it on some public spaces," Chase Michaelson, oddsmaker for the SuperBook, told ESPN. "It's people we respect that like Gabriel, and I think there are lots of reasons to like him." Gabriel has put up...

LOS ANGELES -- Led by host Serena Williams, The ESPYS celebrated a landmark year for women's sports, with Simone Biles, A'ja Wilson, Caitlin Clark, Dawn Staley and JuJu Watkins among the honorees Thursday night. Staley, coach of the national champion South Carolina women's basketball team, received the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance for both her support and fight for equality for women's sports and for her leadership in the fight against cancer. Her friend, Tennessee standout Nikki McCray-Penson, died of breast cancer and Staley's sister was diagnosed with leukemia. Staley was motivated by their battles to become an advocate for cancer research. "I must confess I feel a little undeserving of this recognition. Past recipients of the Jimmy V Perseverance Award have faced incredible challenges and proven themselves as true warriors," Staley said. "I have merely been a spectator to such immense courage and resilience." Staley's Gamecocks also...

NEW YORK -- Guard Sabrina Ionescu and the New York Liberty overcame a slow start and 14-point deficit to handily beat the visiting Chicago Sky 91-76 on Thursday night at Barclays Center. The Liberty -- who are 2-1 against the Sky this season -- join 13 other teams across WNBA history in winning 19 of their first 23 games of a season. Twelve of those teams made the WNBA Finals that year, and 10 won the championship. "This is a veteran team, an experienced team," Liberty coach Sandy Brondello said. "They can lock in. We've got great leadership. There's a commitment to excellence. Even if you struggled one quarter, they're always encouraging each other, 'Come on, let's do it. Let's be better.'" Ionescu missed her first seven shots of the game and was 1-for-8 from the floor at halftime before finishing with a team-best 21 points behind 6-for-9 shooting (4-for-6 from 3) in the second half. "Kind of hung my head at halftime and then came back to start that third...

LOS ANGELES -- Prince Harry received the Pat Tillman Award for Service at The ESPYS on Thursday night, and he mentioned the late Army Ranger's mother who had criticized ESPN for honoring the royal. With wife Meghan joining in a standing ovation, the Duke of Sussex accepted the trophy from three service veterans who were injured during their tours of duty. Harry served in the British military for 10 years, including two tours in Afghanistan as a helicopter pilot. He created the Invictus Games in 2014, which serves as a multisport, paralympic-style games for wounded or injured servicemen and veterans. "This award belongs to them, not to me," Harry said from the stage of the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. Tillman's mother, Mary Tillman, had criticized the network's choice of Harry, saying there are individuals working in the veteran community who would have been more fitting. Harry thanked Tillman's widow, Marie, for her attendance and also acknowledged Mary Tillman. "Her advocacy for...

Monte Kiffin, a defensive wizard who spent more than 50 years coaching in the NFL and collegiate ranks, died Thursday at age 84, Ole Miss announced. Kiffin, whose son Lane is the head coach at Ole Miss, was surrounded by family and friends. He had been a defensive analyst for his son's team since 2020. "As his grandson Knox said, he's free of pain and smiling down on us from above," the school said in a post to X. "Please keep the Kiffin family in your thoughts and prayers during this time." Kiffin spent 13 seasons as defensive coordinator with the  Tampa Bay Buccaneers. His work with Tony Dungy to build the vaunted "Tampa 2" scheme helped the Bucs win the Super Bowl in 2002 and was copied by several other teams around the league. During Kiffin's tenure with Tampa Bay, its defense allowed the fewest points per game (17.5) while ranking second in both yards allowed per game (286.8) and total takeaways (293). "That defense that Monte coordinated was the best unit...

CONMEBOL has opened an investigation after Uruguay players clashed with Colombian fans at the end of their Copa América semifinal match on Wednesday, the South American soccer governing body said. After Colombia sealed a 1-0 victory in Charlotte, North Carolina, videos on social media showed Uruguay players climbing into the stands and exchanging blows with opposition fans. Uruguay's Darwin Núñez and Ronald Araújo were among the players at the forefront of the melee. Captain José María Giménez said the players were trying to defend their families. Players and staff from both Colombia and Uruguay were also involved in a confrontation on the field after the final whistle. "CONMEBOL has opened an investigation to understand the sequence of events and the responsibilities of those involved in the acts of violence that occurred at the end of the match," CONMEBOL said in a statement on Thursday. "We want to reaffirm and...

The Sacramento Kings announced Thursday that rookie Devin Carter underwent left shoulder surgery to repair a torn labrum. The team said the 22-year-old guard will be re-evaluated in approximately six months. Carter, who spent the past two years at Providence College after transferring from South Carolina, was selected 13th overall in the 2024 NBA draft. He averaged 19.7 points, 8.7 rebounds and 3.6 assists this past season for the Friars, earning Big East Player of the Year honors. The Kings recently acquired free agent guard DeMar DeRozan in a three-team sign-and-trade with the Chicago Bulls and San Antonio Spurs. Sacramento traded away forward Harrison Barnes and an unprotected 2031 pick swap to the Spurs. Chicago received Chris Duarte, two second-round draft picks and cash considerations from the Kings. 

Monte Kiffin, a defensive wizard who spent more than 50 years coaching in the NFL and collegiate ranks, died Thursday at age 84, Ole Miss announced. Kiffin, whose son Lane is the head coach at Ole Miss, was surrounded by family and friends. He had been a defensive analyst for his son's team since 2020. "As his grandson Knox said, he's free of pain and smiling down on us from above," the school said in a post to X. "Please keep the Kiffin family in your thoughts and prayers during this time." Kiffin spent 13 seasons as defensive coordinator with the  Tampa Bay Buccaneers. His work with Tony Dungy to build the vaunted "Tampa 2" scheme helped the Bucs win the Super Bowl in 2002 and was copied by several other teams around the league. During Kiffin's tenure with Tampa Bay, its defense allowed the fewest points per game (17.5) while ranking second in both yards allowed per game (286.8) and total takeaways (293). "That defense that Monte coordinated was the best unit that had...

Kyle Lowry  announced on Instagram on Thursday that he has agreed to remain with the Philadelphia 76ers. The deal is for one year, Lowry's agent Mark Bartelstein of Priority Sports told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. Talks with Bartelstein and 76ers president Daryl Morey ramped up last week as Lowry considered several contenders, sources told Wojnarowski. They landed on a deal Thursday for the North Philadelphia native and Villanova product to return to his hometown Sixers where he'll shore up a veteran bench chasing a title around Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and Paul George. Lowry, 38, joined Philadelphia in the spring after being bought out by the Charlotte Hornets, who had acquired him in a trade with the Miami Heat for Terry Rozier. He averaged 8.0 points and 4.6 assists in 23 games with the 76ers in the regular season and was a key part of Philadelphia's rotation both down the stretch and in its six-game, first-round...

MILWAUKEE -- Paul Skenes struck out 11 in seven no-hit innings in another dominant performance, and the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Milwaukee Brewers 1-0 on Thursday. Skenes threw 99 pitches in his 11th major league start, 65 for strikes. The All-Star right-hander walked one while lowering his ERA to 1.90. "It just comes down to going out there and executing," Skenes said. "So, if strikeouts are what that looks like, then so be it. It's just about getting outs." Colin Holderman replaced Skenes (6-0) and surrendered a leadoff single to Jake Bauers for Milwaukee's first hit. The Brewers loaded the bases with two down in the eighth, but Holderman escaped the jam when he struck out William Contreras swinging. Aroldis Chapman handled the ninth for his fourth save, finishing a two-hitter for Pittsburgh. Skenes, the No. 1 overall pick in last year's draft out of LSU, struck out 11 while pitching six no-hit innings in his second start for...

United States Soccer has begun reaching out to candidates to replace recently fired manager Gregg Berhalter, including making an overture to former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp, but it's very unlikely that the German will take conversations further, sources have told ESPN. Klopp, 57, has been consistent in saying that he wants to take 12 months off from management after spending nearly nine years with Liverpool. A source added to ESPN that Klopp may not manage again, and those concerns don't begin to address his likely hefty financial demands, which would be well into eight figures.  The U.S. is on the hunt for a new manager after officially relieving Berhalter of his duties Wednesday following a disappointing showing in the 2024 Copa América as the USMNT failed to advance past the group stage. U.S. Soccer sporting director Matt Crocker said during a call with reporters Wednesday that he intends to start the search "straight away" and hopes to have a new...

WIMBLEDON, England -- Jasmine Paolini reached her second consecutive Grand Slam final with a 2-6, 6-4, 7-6 (10-8) victory over unseeded Donna Vekic at Wimbledon on Thursday in a rollicking match that lasted 2 hours, 51 minutes. "This match," said Paolini, a 28-year-old from Italy, "I will remember forever." Paolini will face 2021 French Open champion Barbora Krejcikova for the title on Saturday. Krejcikova eliminated 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 in the second semifinal. Paolini kept coming back, coming back, coming back -- after dropping the opening set, after being two games from defeat at 4-all in the second, after twice trailing by a break in the third at 3-1 and 4-3 at Centre Court. "It was," she said, "a roller coaster of emotions." Consider: Vekic, making her debut in a Slam semifinal, ended up claiming more points (118-111), delivering more winners (42-26) and breaking serve more often (4-3). But No. 7-seeded...

WIMBLEDON, England -- Jasmine Paolini reached her second consecutive Grand Slam final with a 2-6, 6-4, 7-6 (10-8) victory over unseeded Donna Vekic at Wimbledon on Thursday in a rollicking match that lasted 2 hours, 51 minutes. "This match," said Paolini, a 28-year-old from Italy, "I will remember forever." As will many who were present at Centre Court. Paolini kept coming back, coming back, coming back -- after dropping the opening set, after being two games from defeat at 4-all in the second, after twice trailing by a break in the third at 3-1 and 4-3 at Centre Court. "It was," she said, "a roller coaster of emotions." Consider: Vekic, making her debut in a Slam semifinal, ended up claiming more points (118-111), delivering more winners (42-26) and breaking serve more often (4-3). But No. 7-seeded Paolini never went away, eventually converting her third match point. This showing on the grass courts of the All England Club follows her runner-up finish to ...

DUI charges against Georgia running back Trevor Etienne were dismissed Wednesday when he pleaded no contest to reckless driving, underage possession of alcohol and two other driving offenses. Etienne made his plea during a hearing in Athens-Clarke County (Georgia) Municipal Court. "We're pleased the evidence didn't support the DUI charge to begin with," Etienne's attorney, Kim Stephens, told the Athens Banner-Herald. "We're pleased the solicitor's office saw that and agreed to something that wasn't a DUI." On March 24, Athens-Clarke County police arrested Etienne on charges of drunken driving, failure to maintain a lane or improper driving as well as affixing materials that reduce visibility through the windows or windshield. It is not known if Etienne will be available for Georgia's season-opening game against Clemson on Aug. 31. According to Georgia's team policy, athletes convicted of DUI face a suspension of at least one game. Georgia wide...

LOS ANGELES -- Bill Belichick has added a second media job for the upcoming season. The CW Network announced Thursday that Belichick will be one of the analysts on "Inside the NFL." Belichick, who coached the New England Patriots to six Super Bowl titles during his 24 years at the helm, will also appear on the "ManningCast" during ESPN's "Monday Night Football." Belichick also joined "The Pat McAfee Show" for its NFL draft coverage in April and is scheduled to appear weekly on the show during the NFL season. Belichick joins Ryan Clark, Chad Johnson and Chris Long. Johnson and Long each played one season for Belichick in New England. "I'm thrilled to join my new team at NFL Films and to work on such a historic television franchise," Belichick said in a statement. "I've always appreciated 'Inside the NFL's' depth of analysis, and I hope to bring the same detailed insight to The CW by talking real football with real pros -- Ryan, Chris and Chad -- this coming...

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Tennessee Titans have agreed to a deal with free agent safety Jamal Adams, the team announced Thursday. A seven-year veteran, Adams spent the past four seasons with the Seattle Seahawks before he was released March 5. Tennessee currently has Amani Hooker and Elijah Molden listed as its starting safeties. Adams will compete for one of the starting spots when camp opens July 23. The Seahawks parted with two first-round picks to acquire Adams from the New York Jets in 2020 -- one of the biggest swings of the John Schneider/Pete Carroll era -- and then made him the NFL's highest-paid safety a year later with a four-year, $70 million extension. Adams, 28, made his third straight Pro Bowl during his debut season with the Seahawks while setting a record for defensive backs with 9.5 sacks, but he hasn't recorded a sack since then. In the first half of the 2022 opener, Adams tore the quadriceps tendon above his left...

NORTH BERWICK, Scotland -- Rory McIlroy was having dinner with European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald in London on Sunday night when Donald told him that the U.S. team had selected Keegan Bradley as its new captain. "Yeah, definitely I think a surprise for everyone," McIlroy said Thursday, after posting a 5-under 65 in the opening round of the Genesis Scottish Open at The Renaissance Club. "I mean, it's certainly a departure from what the U.S. have done over the last few years, and, you know, time will tell if that's a good thing or not." When McIlroy was asked to describe the reaction at the table on Sunday, he said: "I think disbelief, probably. I think Keegan was probably in disbelief, at some point, too, but certainly an interesting pick." Bradley, 38, has never been a vice captain in the Ryder Cup. He competed in the international event as a player twice, most recently in 2014. The Vermont native attended St. John's University in New York, and he...

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Tennessee Titans have agreed to a one-year deal with free agent safety Jamal Adams, a source told ESPN on Thursday. A seven-year veteran, Adams spent the past four seasons with the Seattle Seahawks before he was released March 5. Tennessee currently has Amani Hooker and Elijah Molden listed as its starting safeties. Adams will compete for one of the starting spots when camp opens July 23. The Seahawks parted with two first-round picks to acquire Adams from the New York Jets in 2020 -- one of the biggest swings of the John Schneider/Pete Carroll era -- and then made him the NFL's highest-paid safety a year later with a four-year, $70 million extension. Adams, 28, made his third straight Pro Bowl during his debut season with the Seahawks while setting a record for defensive backs with 9.5 sacks, but he hasn't recorded a sack since then. In the first half of the 2022 opener, Adams tore the quadriceps tendon...

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said the league is committed to "following the litigation all the way" in a nearly decade-long defense of its premium Sunday Ticket product. A Los Angeles jury ordered the NFL last month to pay $4.7 billion in damages to the residential class and another $96 million to the commercial class of a class action lawsuit that accused the league of violating antitrust laws in distributing out-of-market Sunday afternoon games on the subscription service. The league could be liable for a total of $14.39 billion because damages are tripled under federal antitrust laws. "We obviously disagree with the jury verdict and we are committed, obviously, to following the legal process," Goodell said Thursday during an interview with CNBC. "It's a long process and we're aware of that. But we feel very strongly about our position, our policies, particularly on media. "We make our sport available to the broadest possible audience. Sunday Ticket is just a...

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said the league is committed to "following the litigation all the way" in a nearly decade-long defense of its premium Sunday Ticket product. A Los Angeles jury ordered the NFL last month to pay $4.7 billion in damages to the residential class and another $96 million to the commercial class of a class-action lawsuit that accused the league of violating antitrust laws in distributing out-of-market Sunday afternoon games on the subscription service. The league could be liable for a total of $14.39 billion because damages are tripled under federal antitrust laws. "We obviously disagree with the jury verdict and we are committed, obviously, to following the legal process," Goodell said Thursday during an interview with CNBC. "It's a long process and we're aware of that. But we feel very strongly about our position, our policies, particularly on media. "We make our sport available to the broadest possible audience. Sunday Ticket is just a...

Former major leaguer Sean Burroughs suffered fentanyl intoxication when he died in the parking lot at a Long Beach, California, baseball field in May, according to the Los Angeles County medical examiner. The medical examiner released its findings into Burroughs' death this week and ruled it as an accident. Burroughs died May 9 at the age of 43. He was found unconscious next to his car at Stearns Champions Park in Long Beach after dropping off his son, Knox, for a Little League game, Long Beach Little League president Doug Wittman said at the time. Wittman said CPR was performed on Burroughs in hopes of reviving him but that he remained unresponsive and was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after. A two-time winner of the Little League World Series and a 2000 Olympic gold medalist, Burroughs was drafted in the first round by the  San Diego Padres in 1998. The third baseman made his major league debut in April 2002 and recorded the first walk-off hit for the...

Uruguay striker Luis Suárez slammed Colombia's "ugly" celebrations after Wednesday's  Copa América semifinal ended in violent scenes as players argued on the pitch and fought with fans in the stands at the Bank of America Stadium. Colombia forward Miguel Borja celebrated in front of the Uruguay players after the 10-man side sealed a 1-0 victory in Charlotte, North Carolina, setting up a final Sunday with holders Argentina. Meanwhile, Uruguay's Darwin Núñez and several teammates climbed into the stands and brawled with supporters before security personnel stepped in to restore order. "There are always squabbles, jokes or whatever, but what is annoying is the way [Borja] celebrated,"  Inter Miami's Suárez told reporters after the game. "It makes no sense to celebrate like that. We eliminated Brazil the other day and none of us passed in front of any Brazil player. The opposite. We went to them...

Liverpool will hold urgent talks with Darwin Núñez and the Uruguayan Football Federation (UFF), a source told ESPN, to gain a full picture of the events that resulted in the forward entering the stands and becoming involved in a physical confrontation with Colombia supporters following Wednesday's Copa América semifinal. Núñez is facing the prospect of a suspension issued by organisers CONMEBOL, the South American Confederation, which could extend to club football if world governing body FIFA decides to intervene should CONMEBOL apply any sanction. Colombia secured a meeting with world champions Argentina in Sunday's final in Miami by defeating Uruguay 1-0 in the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. But the postmatch incident when Núñez entered the stands to confront spectators has led to concerns that the 25-year-old could be hit with a lengthy ban for his actions. Uruguayan newspaper El Pais has reported...

LAS VEGAS -- Team USA had plenty of miscues in its first dress rehearsal for the Olympics on Wednesday night. But after a comfortable 86-72 victory over Team Canada in front of a record-setting crowd of 20,756 at T-Mobile Arena, all Anthony Davis was focused on was Team USA's defensive potential. "Unbeatable," Davis said when asked how the U.S. will fare if it defends and runs the way it did Wednesday. "Offensively we were, to keep it frank, we were pretty terrible. But it's a good terrible in the sense of we were trying to make the right plays. ... [But] if we're worried about offense, I think we're in a good spot. "Where we hung our hat tonight was defensively." Anthony Edwards led Team USA with 13 points off the bench and Davis had 10 points, 11 rebounds and 4 blocks as the Americans overcame a cold start to put the game out of reach early in the second half. Team USA missed its first six shots and committed eight first-quarter turnovers. But as the game wore on, the...