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🏀 5 things you need to know about Friday
- Kawhi Leonard’s trade is on hold. The Clippers have reportedly agreed to a blockbuster trade with the Raptors that would bring Leonard back to Toronto, but the deal won’t take place until the NBA’s investigation into Aspiration is complete. If the league determines that Leonard and the Clippers circumvented the salary cap through their sponsorship deal with Aspiration, the seven-time All-Star’s contract could be voided. In that case, trading may be stopped completely. The NBA said Thursday it has no plans to conclude the investigation.
- France has reached the World Cup semi-finals, but at what cost? Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembele each scored in the second half as France defeated Morocco 2-0 in the first leg of the quarter-finals of the competition. However, 17 minutes after scoring the opening goal, Mbappé collapsed with an ankle injury and left the match along with French medical staff. Afterwards, he was seen icing his right ankle on the bench, but after the game he said, “There’s nothing wrong with it,” dispelling some concerns. The question is whether the Golden Boot leader can give his best in Tuesday’s semi-final.
- Brandon Aiyuk may never play in the NFL again. The ongoing saga involving the 49ers’ wide receivers took its most significant twist to date with Aiyuk’s announcement that he will not request reinstatement in San Francisco. The 49ers placed him on the reserve/left team list, so the NFL will need to reinstate him before he joins the active roster. As long as he remains on that list, the 49ers have no incentive to trade or cut him, leaving him in a purgatory-like state as they aim to be released by the team in time to play in 2026.
- UCLA and Texas have recruited college basketball’s elite players. The Bruins have signed Serbian winger Nikola Kusturica following his incredible performance against the United States at the FIBA U17 World Cup Championship on Sunday. His addition not only gives UCLA a big boost next season, but also brightens the program’s outlook for the 2027-28 season, as Kusturica is two years away from NBA Draft eligibility. If he is eligible, he could be the first overall pick. Hours later, the Longhorns acquired Marcus Spears Jr. He is ranked as the top overall prospect in the 2027 recruiting class and is expected to reclassify to join Texas this year.
- The Wimbledon women’s final has been decided. The women’s tournament will have its 10th new champion in the last 10 years after Karolina Muchova and Linda Noskova booked their ticket to the final. The all-Czech matchup between the 9th and 10th seeds will take place on Saturday. The two men’s finalists will be decided on Friday when Jannik Sinner takes on Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev takes on Arthur Ferry in the semi-finals.
🤼 Don’t miss this: Predicting McGregor’s UFC return
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Only one day left conor mcgregor He stepped into the Octagon for the first time since 2021. Max Holloway In a rematch of the 2013 bout, he will be looking for his second victory in the past decade. Things between the two sides are heating up ahead of Saturday night’s game. At a press conference Thursday night, they went face to face and necessary Dana White To intervene.
Elaborating on the challenges that lie ahead for the Irish mixed martial arts legend, Brian Campbell says having such a long break between fights will definitely work to McGregor’s advantage as he looks to win at UFC 329.
- Campbell: “As critics try to understand exactly what version of McGregor will be able to perform on Saturday, they need to consider the reality of his five-year layoff. This is not to say that McGregor has been living a modest lifestyle outside the cage…McGregor has simply been flaunting his partying lifestyle in recent years while being caught up in a series of unscrupulous headlines and legal battles.”
Not only that, but Holloway is a difficult matchup for someone in McGregor’s position. His recent wins include: dustin poirier and Justin Gaethje And he’s not far from the prime of his career. That’s why our Brent Brookhouse says picking Holloway is a safer bet even at -225.
- Brook House: “McGregor will be at his most dangerous in the opening round. If he’s not stopped there, his chances of victory begin to diminish rapidly. Unless the jump to welterweight proves to be too much for him in terms of speed, power or cardio, Holloway has the tools needed to win.”
⚾ Three All-Stars appear in the MLB Rookie Rankings
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Next week’s MLB All-Star Game will feature four players from arguably one of the greatest rookie classes in history. Kevin McGonigle sal stewart and Parker Messick Not only did he earn a spot in the Midsummer Classic, but he also ranked in this month’s MLB Rookie Rankings. Travis Bazana On the other hand, he made the ASG roster, but fell just short of the top 10.
Here’s where the first three arrived:
1. Kevin McGonigle, Guards; tigers
3. Parker Messick, LHP; guardian
4. Sal Stewart, INF, reds
You can see that one rookie ranks higher than the three All-Stars. it is JJ Weatherholtis definitely one of ASG’s biggest despisers, considering he is the National League Rookie of the Year favorite. Our Dyne Perry described Weatherholt’s resume this way:
- Perry: “Weatherholt, another prospect before graduating from the majors, came out of camp to rebuild and earned the second baseman job.” cardinalsand that decision was justified, and then some. Former 7th pick west virginia He has been the most valuable defender at any position this season, according to Statcast’s Outs Above Average. He’s no slouch with a bat either. In 383 at-bats this season, the OBP forward has an OPS+ of 119, 13 home runs, only one GIDP, and 9/9 stolen bases. ”
Also, the next wave of young baseball stars will make the leap into the professional ranks this weekend when the MLB Draft begins. The first four rounds will be played on Saturday, with rounds five through 20 scheduled for Sunday. Prior to the draft, we redrafted the 2016 class 10 years later. pete alonso and Beau Bichette I heard their names called on stage.
👍👎 The best (and not the best) of the rest
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📺 Highlights this weekend
Friday
🎾 Wimbledon: Men’s semi-finals, 8am on ESPN
⛳ Scottish Open: 2nd round, 11 a.m. on Golf Channel
⚽ World Cup: Spain vs. Belgium; 3pm on Fox
🏀 Summer League: Cavaliers vs. Pacers, 4:30pm on ESPN2
🏀 Summer League: Rockets vs. Nuggets; 6:30pm on ESPN2
⚾ Royals vs. Orioles, Peacock 7:05 p.m.
⚾ Red Sox vs. Mets, 7:10pm on Apple TV
⚾ Rays Mariners, 7:10 p.m. on ESPN Unlimited
🏀 Wings at Tempo or Valkyrie of the Sun, 7:30pm at Aeon
⚽ Current pride, 8pm on Prime Video
🤼 WWE SmackDown, 8pm on USA Network
⚾ Cardinals Braves, 8:15pm on Apple TV
🏀 Summer League: Celtics vs. Raptors, 9pm on ESPN
⚾ Blue Jays vs. Padres or Rockies vs. Giants, 9:40 p.m. on MLB Network
🏀 Sky of sparks, 10pm at Aeon
⚽ Gotham at Royals, 10pm on Victory+
⚾ Diamondbacks vs. Dodgers, 10:10pm Peacock
🏀 Summer League: Trail Blazers vs. Suns, 11pm on ESPNU
Saturday
🎾 Wimbledon: Men’s doubles final, 8am on ESPN
🎾 Wimbledon: Women’s final, 11am on ESPN
⛳ Scottish Open: 3rd round, CBS/Paramount+Noon
⚾MLB Draft, Noon on NBC and 2:30 p.m. on MLB Network.
🏀 Lynx Liberty, 1pm on ABC
🏀 Dream fire, 4 p.m. on CBS/Paramount+
🏀 Summer League: Pelicans vs. Hornets; 4pm on ESPN
⚾ Red Sox vs. Mets, FS1 4:10 p.m.
⚽ World Cup: Norway vs. England; 5pm on Fox
🏀 Summer League: Knicks vs. Spurs; 6 p.m. on ESPN
🏀 Ace Mercury, on NBC Sports Network starting at 6 p.m.
⚽ A courageous spirit, 6:30pm at Aeon
⚾ Rangers Astros, Peacock 7:05 p.m.
⚾ Royals vs. Orioles or cardinals braves, 7:05 p.m. on MLB Network
⚾ Reds Cubs, 7:10 p.m. on ESPN Unlimited
🏀 Summer League: Hawks vs. Nets; 8pm on ESPN
⚽ Angel City at Wave, 8:45pm at Aeon
🤼 UFC 329: McGregor vs. Holloway 2, 9pm on Paramount+
⚽World Cup: Argentina vs Switzerland, 9pm on Fox
⚾ Diamondbacks vs. Dodgers, 10 p.m. on MLB Network
🏀 Summer League: Lakers vs. Mavericks, 10pm on ESPN
Sunday
🎾 Wimbledon: Women’s doubles final, 8am on ESPN
🎾 Wimbledon: Men’s final, 11am on ESPN
⛳ Scottish Open: Final round, CBS/Paramount+Noon
⚾ MLB All-Star Futures Game, noon on NBC
🥊 WBO International Flyweight Title: Red Stall vs. Courtney; DAZN noon
⚾ Pirate Brewer, 12:15pm Peacock
🏀 Summer League: Suns vs. Pelicans; 3 p.m. on ESPN2
🏀 Liberty at Tempo, 3pm on NBA TV
🏀 Big3: Righand vs. 305, 4 p.m. on CBS/Paramount+
⚽ Thorn of governance, 4pm on ESPN
⚾ Rockies vs. Giants, Peacock 4:05 p.m.
⚾ Diamondbacks vs. Dodgers, 4:10pm on ESPN Unlimited
⚾ Blue Jays vs. Padres, 4:10 p.m. on MLB Network
🏀 Big3: Ampere vs. Riot, 5 p.m. on CBS/Paramount+
🏀 Summer League: Hornets vs. Celtics; 5 p.m. on ESPN2
🏀 Summer League: Magic vs. Trail Blazers, 7 p.m. on ESPNU
🏀 Sky of wings, 7 p.m. on ESPN
🏁 NASCAR in Atlanta, 7pm on TNT
⚽ Dash at the summit, 7pm on Victory+
🏀 Summer League: Spurs vs. Bucks, 9pm on ESPN
🏀 Ace fever, 9pm on NBC
