The Los Angeles Lakers might no longer have LeBron James Sr. on their roster, but they still have junior and seem to want to keep him.
There have been questions on what will happen with Bronny James since his dad decided to ditch Los Angeles and the Lakers for free agency.
Well, the Lakers, to the surprise of some, have gone all in on Bronny and keeping him in LA.
His contract with the Lakers became fully guaranteed for $2.3 million on June 30. The 21-year-old has a contract that will pay him that figure this year, while a team option to keep him for 2027-28 remains on his deal.
Bronny wouldn't be a free agent until 2028. There is belief that the Lakers value Bronny and would not move on from him unless a real offer came to surface.
During a radio appearance on the Brock and Alex Show on 97.1 The Fan LA, California Post reporter Khobi Price, who covers the Lakers, said during a discussion of who is the most likely Laker to be traded that "it would take something real" for the Lakers to want to trade Bronny.
"If LeBron chooses X team, what if X team is willing to send the Lakers, I don't know, a second round pick for Bronny James? That automatically puts Bronny James as the most likely player," Price said. "Now, what I want to make clear is that the Lakers are more than happy to keep Bronny James."
"They've drafted him in the second round two years ago. They developed him. They're a fan of him. He has a lot of people who like him within the building. So it's not going to be one of the situations where, oh yeah, they're just going to send Bronny to wherever LeBron goes. Like it would take something real for the Lakers to want to trade him," Price added.
"It would take something REAL for the Lakers to want to trade Bronny... they developed him, they’re a fan of him, and he has A LOT of supporters in the building."@khobi_price joined #BrockandAlex to discuss everything #Lakers offseason & what to look forward to going into the… pic.twitter.com/3mpWW6UBjV
In the 2025-26 campaign, his second NBA season, Bronny James averaged 2.9 points, 1.2 assists, 0.5 steals in 8.9 minutes per game. He shot 40.9% from the field, 38.6% on 3-point field goals and 85.7% from the free throw line.
He saw playoff minutes in the first round against the Houston Rockets. In a Game 3 win, Bronny scored his first career playoff points, putting up 5 points, in a back-to-back sequence netting a pull-up 3-pointer off of an on-ball screen by his dad, the team getting a defensive stop that led to a fastbreak where elder James threw a lob to junior who keyed in a reverse layup finish.
Bronny was the 55th overall selection in the 2024 NBA Draft, taken by the Lakers out of USC.
He made history becoming the first father-son duo to share an NBA court playing alongside LeBron.
And once his pops makes his anticipated decision, the two will make history again next season, this time becoming the first father-son duo to share an NBA court as opponents.
LeBron James is going back to the Miami Heat ― at least that's what many are speculating after the organization's latest slip up.
The Miami Heat's official YouTube page briefly leaked a live video stream titled "LeBron James Introductory Press Conference" that was set for July 27, 2026.
It has since been unlisted and made private. It seems that the video has been momentarily taken down, but not fast enough for internet scourers to collect their screenshots, screen-records and begin running with the narrative that James is headed back to the 305.
The Miami Heat YouTube channel just accidentally LEAKED the LeBron signing 😱😳🚨 pic.twitter.com/qqKjC5b70m
If it's true, then at least we know that there will be an announcement within the next six days.
However, it seems that it was a mistake on the Heat's social media department, according to Miami Herald reporter Anthony Chiang, who covers the Heat.
"It was a mistake by the Heat's social media department while preparing for the possibility of LeBron picking the Heat. But there is no validity to it right now," Chiang wrote on social media.
An explanation on the "LeBron James Introductory Press Conference" video that has taken over X ...
It was a mistake by the Heat's social media department while preparing for the possibility of LeBron picking the Heat. But there is no validity to it right now.
He has since took NBA media, fans and the overall basketball world on a circus trip trying to be the first to guess where he'll go play his record-setting 24th NBA season.
However, the latter have not been spoke of lately. To add to that, Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards is already out on making a pitch because he knows that Minnesota wasn't in James' top three picks.
Hope still remains for Cleveland, Philadelphia and Bay Area fan bases, but if there's any truth to this leak, get ready for fans to bring out those No. 6 jerseys in South Beach again.
James would be returning to a city and franchise that he first joined 16 years ago at age 25. He helped lead the Heat to back-to-back championships in 2012 and 2013, being named Finals MVP each year. He won two league MVPs in Miami, the same years he won titles.
In four seasons with the Heat, James averaged 26.9 points, 7.6 rebounds and 6.7 assists on 54.3% field goal shooting.
It's a no-brainer that whenever Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry decides to hang it up for good, he'll be inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame on the first ballot.
In case his career statistics and accolades didn't signal that, the Basketball Hall of Fame practically ensured it when they announced that the four-time NBA champion will have his own exhibit, marking the first time an active player was honored with a dedicated experience.
The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame will introduce its newest exhibit on Friday, July 24, which will be dedicated to the 12-time NBA All-Star, two-time MVP, Olympic gold medalist, four-time NBA champion and the undisputed greatest shooter of all time.
This development is a part of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame acclaimed gallery called "The Vault."
The exhibit is called "Stephen Curry: Beyond the Arc" and it showcases Curry's prowess on and off the court. In a creative partnership with Curry's Thirty Ink business team, the exhibit will showcase Curry's legacy as a basketball icon, entrepreneur, philanthropist and family man.
He changed the game for good. And now, he makes history yet again.
Beginning this Friday, Stephen Curry will become the first active player EVER to have an exhibit at the @Hoophall 👏 pic.twitter.com/pjKldCPc8J
"Being part of the Basketball Hall of Fame in this way is hard to put into words," Curry in a statement. "When I think about my journey, I think about the people who believed in me, the work that happened when nobody was watching and the moments that shaped me on and off the court.
"To have that story told while I’m still playing is something I don’t take lightly. My hope is that fans walk through this experience and feel the joy, the purpose and the gratitude that basketball has given me, and maybe see a little bit of their own journey in it too."
What to expect at the 'Stephen Curry: Beyond the Arc' exhibit
Visitors and fans alike will get a tour through the life of Curry and his basketball career. Whether a fan of Curry, the Warriors or basketball in general, one can expect a captivating experience through the exhibit.
Fans can expect to see exclusive memorabilia including rare game-worn gear, championship artifacts, and Olympic ephemera. Additionally, the exhibit will feature rare, archived video that has traced Curry's journey from an overlooked college prospect to global superstar and basketball savant.
His stories will be told first-hand through immersive audio and video components that capture his raw emotion and put visitors right there in the moment to understand the heart of a true champion.
"We are thrilled to partner with Stephen and the Thirty Ink team to bring this unprecedented exhibit to life," John Doleva, President & CEO of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, said in a statement. "Stephen has not only redefined how the game of basketball is played, but he has also set a blueprint for what it means to be an exemplary role model.
"We appreciate his personal involvement in helping bring his story forward to 'The Vault' while he is still actively building his legacy. This is truly a historic moment for us and for basketball fans worldwide."
The exhibit — which is only open for a limited time — is scheduled to open to the public on July 24 at the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. For more information visit Hoophall.com.
Jul 21, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong (4) watches his triple against the Detroit Tigers during the first inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images | Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
The Detroit Tigers looked to follow up Monday night’s thrilling win with another on Tuesday night on the north side of Chicago. Instead, the Cubs pantsed the Tigers to the tune of an 11-2 drubbing.
Framber Valdez got the start for the Tigers, and after Monday’s game in which the bullpen pitched a total of six innings, the Tigers hoped Valdez could give them some length. He’d gone at least six innings in four of his previous five starts, and he was coming off seven sparkling innings against the A’s in which he’d given up a meagre three hits, surrendering a single run, walking nary a batter and whiffing nine. Of course, the Cubs are not the A’s. Spoiler alert: he absolutely did not give the Tigers length on Tuesday night.
Facing the Tigers was tall lefty David Peterson, who’s been with the Cubs for less than a month; he was traded to them by the Mets near the end of June for Cole Mathis. He broke into the major leagues in 2020 with the Mets, and was an All-Star in 2025; it’s been a rough year for him, though, and perhaps the Mets and Cubs both thought a change of scenery would do him good. His previous outing righted the ship a bit, though: he went five innings in Baltimore and gave up one run, but he walked four in the process.
It was a long, fateful first inning: Pete Crow-Armstrong led off by smacking a triple to the right-field corner; Seiya Suzuki walked and Alex Bregman wore a fastball to load the bases. Lefty-masher and Old Friend™ Carson Kelly followed, and he poked a two-run single through the right side; Michael Busch did the same to score Bregman for a 3-0 lead, and Nico Horner singled up the middle to reload the bases. A short fly ball to right field was blown in by the wind as the Tigers’ infield stared at it expecting it to head out to Malgeri in right. Instead, it fell like a stone into shallow right field and put the Cubs went up 4-0. After a popup and a strikeout, Valdez walked Crow-Armstrong and that was it for him, departing after two outs, a 5-0 score on the board, and the bases loaded. The recently-recalled Ty Madden came in, walked Suzuki but got Bregman to fly out to centre, and it was a 6-0 game.
Valdez’s final line: 2/3 IP, 5 H, 6 R, 2 BB, 1 HBP, 1 K. Yikes.
The wind was blowing in and was knocking fly balls down, especially to left field, with extreme prejudice: a couple of fly balls hit by the Tigers in the top of the second inning alone, which probably would have been home runs on Monday night, were caught well short of the fence.
The Cubs added-on in the second with a walk, stolen base, and single for a 7-0 score. Madden was slogging through, walking a few guys; Peterson was having a relatively easy go of it, slicing through the Tigers’ lineup like a hot knife through a warm wheel of Brie.
In the fifth, Brenan Hanifee replaced Madden, and within three pitches he gave up a single and a home run for a 9-0 score. But he had a 1-2-3 sixth, so that was nice in terms of pacing.
In the seventh Dillon Dingler led off with a walk, and after a strikeout and flyout, Matt Vierling singled and Dingler got to third base. Would the Tigers finally get on the board? No, they would not! Crow-Armstrong made a nice basket catch in centre to end the inning.
The Tigers waved the white flag by putting Zach McKinstry on the mound to chuck some eephuses below 40 mph, but he zipped an 81-mph fastball in there too. The Cubs tacked-on a pair of runs to make it 11-0, and I was starting to think the Tigers might not win this one.
Jake Rogers and his knuckleball took to the mound for the eighth and he struck out two batters. Holy mackerel!
Our All-Star catcher managed to get the Tigers on the board in the ninth: Hao-Yu Lee singled to lead off the inning, and Dingler sliced a home run through the wind to narrow the gap to 11-2. With two outs the Tigers loaded the bases and had the tying run, well, firmly on his behind in the dugout, but McKinstry flew out to left and that was, mercifully, the game.
The finale and rubber match is Wednesday night at 8:10 pm EDT. It should have been a day game, but I guess the national-television powers-that-be decided the Tigers didn’t need to get home at a reasonable time after a road trip.
Magnificent. Cool as a cucumber. Look how tightly-clustered those triple-twenties are, too.
Numbers and Such
In last night’s game, when Pete Crow-Armstrong took second base in the bottom of the ninth to put runners on second and third with one out, at that point the Tigers had a 16% chance of winning. So, roughly five times out of six in that situation, the Cubs win. But they didn’t!
Spencer Torkelson has been famously terrible at the plate with the bases loaded; including last night’s two-run single, he has been 4-for-38 for a .105 batting average (.323 OPS).
You know who the opposite of Torkelson is? Well, it may not be the exact opposite, but Pat Tabler comes close: .489 BA and 1.198 OPS in 109 plate appearances with the bases loaded over his career.
Marshall McLuhan was born on this day in 1911. This writer and philosopher had insightful and informative views on media, and coined the phrase, “The medium is the message.” As media continue to evolve and shape our views — sometimes in positive ways, sometimes not — I’d say his idea is as true now as it ever has been.
Jul 21, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Zack Wheeler (45) looks on against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the third inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images | Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
The Philadelphia Phillies (56-46) squandered another dominant outing by Zack Wheeler and a promising walk-off situation with a befuddling baserunning blunder to allow the Los Angeles Dodgers (64-38) to even the three-game set in a 2-1 loss.
Wheeler made one crucial mistake in the fourth inning, a cutter out over the plate that Max Muncy sent to straightaway center field for a two-run homer.
On the good, Wheeler had nine K’s across his seven innings and fell one short of becoming the second Phillie ever to throw 10+ strikeouts in four straight starts.
Dodgers’ lefty, Justin Wrobleski, went toe-to-toe with Wheeler, notching seven punch outs of his own.
The Phillies’ only run came courtesy of an Alec Bohm single in the first inning. Bohm saw six pitches on the night and ended with three hits, one of which was his 15th double of the season.
Jose Alvarado and Jonathan Bowlan held the line for Wheeler in the eighth and ninth, retiring their six charges in order.
Bohm’s third hit was a leadoff single to begin the bottom of the ninth. After a three-pitch strikeout of Edmundo Sosa, JT Realmuto smoked a 3-1 slider from Tanner Scott up the left field line to put runners on second and third with one out. Brandon Marsh grounded to third and caught Bohm’s replacement, Justin Crawford, in a rundown. Realmuto, safely at third while the rundown transpired, made the confounding choice to bolt back toward second base and was tagged out easily to end the game on a double play. Tanner Scott got a five-out save.
"OH NO, JT! Oh no."
John Kruk as J.T. Realmuto runs the Phillies out of the game vs. the Dodgers on a ridiculous double play. ⚾️🎙️ #MLBpic.twitter.com/9HUVUmy9vD
Derek Hill made a great throw in the third inning that saved a run when Shohei Ohtani tried to stretch a single into a double and was tagged out just before his lead runner crossed the plate.
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JULY 21: Wyatt Langford #36 of the Texas Rangers is congratulated by Nicky Lopez #33 after hitting a two run home run during the fifth inning against the Chicago White Soxat Globe Life Field on July 21, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Texas Rangers scored ten runs while the Chicago White Sox scored zero runs.
Coming into tonight’s game, the Rangers had allowed exactly 100 runs in the month of July in 13 games. That’s a ghastly 7.7 runs per game. There had been losses of 9-4, 13-1, 9-3, 15-1, 10-3 to list a few of the more unseemly blowout defeats this month. Here recently the Rangers had allowed 39 runs in four game since the start of the second half.
The Rangers were due for a little ass kicking of their own and they delivered with one of their more lopsided wins in recent memory.
Texas scored at least one run in the five of the game’s first six innings with four runs coming in the fifth. Every member of the starting lineup had at least one hit. Brandon Nimmo had a four-hit night with a two-run dong that opened the scoring.
No. 9 hitter Alejandro Osuna went 3-for-4 with two runs scored and three RBI. Wyatt Langford had two more hits, scored twice, and hit a two-run home run that poured salt in the Chicago wound.
Meanwhile tonight’s starter Kumar Rocker allowed a leadoff single in the top of the fourth and then the White Sox didn’t collect their second hit of the night until former Rangers farmhand Luisangel Acuna singled in the top of the eighth. Acuna pitched the last inning for Chicago and they finished with just three hits.
Of course, even in a blowout win nothing is every perfect for the Rangers as No. 3 hitter Josh Jung exited with calf tightness. Nevertheless, it was nice to see the Rangers on this side of one of these kinds of games again after being victimized by them frequently in recent weeks.
The win keeps Texas above .500 with a shot at a series win against Chicago tomorrow night.
Player of the Game: The Rangers scored ten runs. They worked the White Sox’ pitching over for 18 hits. There was plenty to like from the lineup tonight, but what Texas really needed was an outing like the one they got from Rocker.
With the pitching sputtering of late, Rocker took the bump and allowed just one hit to division-leading Chicago — a team that scored ten runs off Texas last night — with two walks and six strikeouts over six innings of shutout ball.
It took Rocker an economical 75 pitches to make it through six innings. Rocker was the final rotation regular to make his first start of the second half and he saved the best for last.
Also, Marco Gonzales — pitching in the big leagues for the first time since 2024 — made his team debut with the Rangers and pitched the final three shutout innings while picking up a quite Wes Littleton-esque save in the blowout win.
Up Next: The Rangers and White Sox close out this series with a rubber match featuring RHP Cal Quantrill for Texas against LHP Anthony Kay for Chicago.
The Wednesday evening first pitch from The Shed is scheduled for 7:05 pm CDT and will be carried on the Rangers Sports Network.
Knoxville Smokies outfielder Alex Ramirez (13) celebrates with teammates after hitting a three-run home run during a minor league baseball game between the Knoxville Smokies and Biloxi Shuckers at Covenant Health Park in Knoxville, Tenn., on July 7, 2026. | Angelina Alcantar/ News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The Cubs have signed free agent outfielder Greg Jones and assigned him to Triple-A Iowa.
LHP Josh Fleming was activated off the Development List and assigned to Iowa.
RHP Connor Schultz was activated off the Development List and assigned to Double-A Knoxville.
Grant Kipp started for Iowa and had a tough task as there were five veteran major leaguers in the Gwinnett starting lineup: Ronald Acuña Jr., Carlos Santana, Andrew McCutchen, Rowdy Tellez and Ha-Seong Kim. Kipp allowed three runs, two earned, on five hits over 3.2 innings. Kipp struck out five and walked one.
Josh Fleming pitched the final five innings, allowed one run on three hits, and got the win. Fleming struck out two and did not issue a walk.
Shortstop Ben Cowles doubled twice in a 3 for 5 night. He scored twice and drove in one.
Third baseman Owen Miller went 2 for 5 with a three-run double in the sixth inning that Acuña ironically lost in the lights.
Left fielder Jonathon Long was 2 for 4 with a walk. He scored two runs.
Starter Connor Schultz got the win after pitching five innings and giving up two runs on three hits. Schultz walked five and struck out three.
Tyler Ras pitched two scoreless innings to close out the game and get the save. Ras allowed two hits. He struck out two and walked no one.
Right fielder Alex Ramírez homered in the first at bat of the game and homered again with two men on in the fifth. That accounted for all four Smokies runs. They were his 11th and 12th home run of the year. Ramírez went 3 for 4 with the four RBI.
DH Miguel Useche was 2 for 4 with a double.
The first one.
LIFT-OFF IN ROCKET CITY 🚀
Alex Ramirez homers to lead off game one, his 11th of the season to tie his career high pic.twitter.com/2LIxSCyrfI
— Knoxville Smokies (@smokiesbaseball) July 21, 2026
Starter Jostin Florentino pitched the first four innings and allowed two runs on three hits. Florentino struck out seven and walked just one.
Nate Williams threw a scoreless fifth inning and got the win because Florentino didn’t go five innings. Williams gave up one hit, walked no one and struck out two.
Jackson Brockett turned in an impressive three-inning save. He only allowed one baserunner, which came on an error in the ninth, but he erased him with a double play so he faced the minimum nine batters. Brockett struck out three.
Center fielder Kane Kepley went 2 for 3 with a double, a walk and two stolen bases. Kepley scored three of the Cubs five runs and drove in one more.
Jose Escobar was 0 for 3 and drove home Kepley three times. Once on a fielder’s choice, once with a sac fly and once with a ground out. Escobar also stole a base.
Jul 21, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Colorado Rockies designated hitter Mickey Moniak (22) slides safely past the tag of Washington Nationals catcher Keibert Ruiz (20) in the second inning at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images | Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
It’s been a back-and-forth affair at Coors Field, with the Colorado Rockies currently leading the Washington Nationals 7-6. But since there are three whole innings left (or hopefully only 2.5!), it’s time for another OVERFLOW THREAD!
Jul 21, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; New York Mets pitcher Zac Thornton (49) steps away from the mound after walking a batter against the Milwaukee Brewers in the first inning at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-Imagn Images | Michael McLoone-Imagn Images
This time a year ago, the Mets were eagerly anticipating Brandon Sproat’s major league debut in the hopes that he would soon become a stalwart in the team’s rotation for years to come. Meanwhile, Zac Thornton (at the time carrying an extra H in his name) was not a name on the radar on anyone but the most diehard of Mets fans. Tonight, Sproat took the mound facing his former team following the trade that sent him to Milwaukee this offseason, and Thornton went up against him in his fourth major league start. And it was the crafty soft-tossing lefty who emerged victorious over the former top 100 prospect flamethrower, with the Mets evening up the series against the Brewers with a 4-0 victory.
The scoring started in the top of the second, when Jared Young came to the plate with one out and deposited a 2-1 pitch from Sproat into the bullpen in right field for a solo homer. And while that would prove to be the only run the Mets would score against their former farmhand for a while, they did an effective job at making him work all night, as they got at least one runner on base in every inning in which he pitched and utilized a patient approach to work four walks against him and balloon his pitch count.
The last walk Sproat issued was a two-out free pass to Bo Bichette in the top of the fifth, and that proved to be the final batter he would face this evening. Chad Patrick came on from the bullpen to replace him, and the Mets picked this moment to strike—with the help of some uncharacteristically shoddy defense from the Brewers. Francisco Lindor greeted Patrick by hitting a sharp grounder to second that bounced off Brice Turang and into center field; Turang then neglected to run after the ball, forcing center fielder Garrett Mitchell run in a long ways to field it and allowing Lindor to hustle into second. Carson Benge followed that by hitting a ground ball into the second base hole, and Turang paused while moving to field the ball, allowing it to sneak by him into right field and bringing two runs home (to make matters worse, Benge should have been thrown out trying to advance to second when the throw from right field was cut off by Andrew Vaughn at first base, but the throw to second sailed into the outfield). Patrick struck out Luis Robert Jr. to end the inning, but the defensive miscues put another earned run on Sproat’s ledger, giving him a fairly unremarkable final line (4.2 innings, 4 hits, 4 walks, 4 strikeouts, 2 earned runs).
Meanwhile, Thornton continued his impressive run with another strong start. As is usually the case with him, he was far from dominant with his stuff, as he recorded just two strikeouts on the night. But he also largely kept the Brewers off the basepaths—thanks in part to some help from his defense. With one out in the third inning, Joey Ortiz hit a soft liner to left field, and A.J. Ewing (playing his first game at the position with Robert in center) sprinted for it and made an impressive diving catch. Later, with two outs in the fifth inning, Luis Lara hit a sharp grounder towards the third base line, and Bichette was able to field it and make a strong throw to record the final out of the frame. Yes, you’re reading this right: the Mets’ defense came through tonight while the Brewers’ defense did not. We are as shocked as you are.
Thornton retired thirteen straight Milwaukee batters at one point before back-to-back leadoff singles from Cooper Pratt and Ortiz in the bottom of the sixth ended that stretch. The tying run was thus at the plate, and the young rookie lefty had to bear down with the top of the order coming up. He started by striking out Jackson Chourio for out number one, and then benefitted from yet another mental lapse on the part of the Brewers. A 1-2 pitch trickled past Luis Torrens behind the plate, and the runner at first base tried to advance while the runner at second stayed put before realizing his mistake and breaking for third late. Torrens recovered the ball and the Mets were able to retire Pratt at third base for the second out. Turang then followed that by hitting a long fly ball towards the left field warning track that Ewing took a wobbly route on before catching the ball to end the inning.
That also ended Thornton’s night after six scoreless innings (giving him eighteen straight scoreless innings over his past three outings) in which he allowed just three singles and one walk on 81 pitches. Again, there was a lot of decent contact against him, so he almost certainly benefited from some luck tonight. Still, we’re not looking at three straight quality starts for Thornton, and while there will continue to be concerns about whether his pitching profile can attain long-term success in the modern game, the Mets will happily continue to send him out there and see what he can do.
After Thornton’s exit, it was time for some trade deadline candidates to increase their value. Luke Weaver started by coming on for the seventh and tossing a 1-2-3 seventh inning. Then in the top of the eighth, Robert Jr. led off the frame by having his first memorable moment since returning from the injured list, hitting an absolutely towering (to the tune of a 112.2 MPH exit velocity and 451 feet) home run to left field to make it 4-0 Mets. Brooks Raley then continued the trade value express by throwing his own perfect inning with a strikeout. Get those offers in now, other teams.
After a scoreless top of the ninth for the Mets bats, Devin Williams took the mound at American Family Field for the first time since October 3, 2024, when he gave up the most devastating home run of his career against the team that’s now signing his paychecks. This outing was much less dramatic than that one, as he issued a leadoff single but nothing else and closed out the game for the Mets. The victory gave Zac Thornton the first win of his major league pitching career and even up the series for the Amazins. They’ll now go for the series victory tomorrow afternoon.
Big Mets winner: Zac Thornton, +33% WPA Big Mets loser: Marcus Semien, -7% WPA Mets pitchers: +43% WPA Mets hitters: +7% WPA Teh aw3s0mest play: Carson Benge two-run double in the fifth, +18.2% WPA Teh sux0rest play: Joey Ortiz single in the sixth, -7.8% WPA
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - JULY 19: (L-R) Michael Porter Jr. and Peyton Watson attend Tequila Don Julio 1942 FIFA World Cup™ 2026 Suite at New York New Jersey Stadium on July 19, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images for Tequila Don Julio) | Getty Images for Tequila Don Jul
Nope, the Brooklyn Nets don’t have interest in restricted free agent Peyton Watson. Ask any self-respecting pundit. They’ll tell you the 6’9” 23-year-old two-way player is headed either back to the Denver Nuggets or maybe the Los Angeles Clippers or the Atlanta Hawks … although the Hawks acquisition of Lu Dort seems to have quelled that rumor a bit.
Also, Sean Marks has said he’s happy with his team, although if opportunity knocks, he’ll be ready, he told the media in Las Vegas on Wednesday.
“When you’re rebuilding a team like we have been the last couple of years, that’s important,” he said of optionality. You just never know what’s going to come your way. So for us to have that optionality will be really important. But at the same time, I like the roster we have.“:
So, all that said, what to make of Watson and his old friend and teammate, Michael Porter Jr. spending the last several weeks together, with MPJ noting, perhaps with a laugh that he’s recruiting the kid, their fun reaching a crescendo Tuesday with the publication of this image … by Watson.
Now this is getting weird 👀
Peyton Watson just posted a pic of himself in the nets practice facility with MPJ
Consider that Watson is shirtless, this seems more than just a tour. Fair to say the Denver forward worked out on the Nets equipment at the HSS Training Center in Sunset Park. That, of course, is interesting on a number of levels. While the two have been seen in various places doing various things over the past month, the training facility is an organization’s inner sanctum. Nets players have 24/7 access to the facility and can invite friends inside. (The third man is not a Nets employee.)
Then, there’s this: when MPJ was traded to Brooklyn a year ago, he was wowed by HSS and compared it favorably to the Nuggets facility, which despite its championship history and aspirations is notably not top-notch. And yes, the Kroenke family which owns the Nuggets is notoriously tight-fisted. Not so, the Tsais.
Is it just the latest (telltale?) sign of the friendship between the two: They were at the World Cup Final on Sunday too … with legendary boxer Terrence Crawford… in the Tequila Don Suite…
As we reported two weeks ago, the two were also at the Fanactic FanFest Friday where a fan caught the two sitting together and MPJ talking free agency…
Beats us but there are some intriguing possibilities starting with the most obvious: that Porter Jr. IS trying to recruit Watson who along with the Pistons Jalen Duren are the best restricted free agents still out there. He averaged 14.6 points on 49/41/73 shooting splits and is a first-rate defender.
Although the Nets have some wiggle room under the salary cap, not enough to tender an offer sheet.
Also, any sign-and-trade with Denver would be highly complicated starting with the lack of a big contract on the Nets side of things. MPJ with his $40.8 million deal would be an ideal piece but Porter Jr. presumably wants to play with PWat not be traded for him. Not to mention Denver dumped Porter Jr. a year ago for Cam Johnson and a future Nugget first. Julius Randle’s $33.3 million deal might fit too but he can’t be traded till December. And no, it would be unimaginable for the Nets to trade either Egor Demin or Mikel Brown Jr. (Brown Jr. can’t be traded.) So, how would that work?
However, the one thing that we always keep in mind when tempted to try our hand at someone’s trade machine: Fans always underestimate the dark magic GMs and their capologists can conjure up from the pages of the CBA: Multi-team deals, multiple sign-and-trades, workarounds, previously unearthed language in the CBA’s nooks and crannies, etc., etc. And the Nets have more draft assets than any NBA team, the Nuggets unprotected 2032 first, acquired ironically enough in the MPJ deal, being among their most valuable.
Then, there’s the ultimate issue: Where would Watson fit? He and MPJ play the same position. Watson was Porter’s back-up when they played together in Denver. How do you make this work? What’s Demin’s role in a new order?
Of course, it may just be that Porter is trying to get his friend more bucks from the Kroenkes. They’ve successfully scared off other suitors to give them more leverage when the two sides ultimately sit down. At this point, the Clippers may be their only competition but who knows how appealing they will be once Adam Silver brings the hammer down on them. Just hinting at a possible Nets offer might be helpful to PWat. That’s what friends are for, right?
Meanwhile, Mark Bartelstein, MPJ’s own agent, spoke Tuesday about his own free agency. Porter Jr. has been eligible for a four-year, $234 million extension since June 19, but as both Marks and Bartelstein have noted in the past week, the two sides have not spoken yet. Porter seems more likely to be destined for a smaller but bigger upfront package, say four years and $170 million with an immediate raise, if the two sides can reach a deal. If not, he suggested, MPJ might have to “chart his course,” suggesting a trade.
Bartelstein, appearing on Sirius XM Sports, hinted at both both possibilities but spoke as well about how much Porter likes his role in Brooklyn, specifically how Jordi Fernandez used his client “creatively” and said that he believes MPJ could’ve been an All-Star if the Nets hadn’t been tanking.
“It’s a great fit, but that’s something Sean [Marks] and I have to talk about” @PrioritySports founder Mark Bartelstein discusses Michael Porter Jr. entering a contract year with the Nets with @TermineRadio & @Jumpshot8
Jul 21, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Max Muncy (13) hits a two-run home run against the Philadelphia Phillies in the fourth inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images | Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
Justin Wrobleski went deep yet again, as did Max Muncy in the Dodgers’ 2-1 win over the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday night at Citizens Bank Park, in a game delayed at the start by 80 minutes due to rain.
One week after striking out five in his All-Star debut in this same ballpark, Wrobleski struck out seven Phillies on Tuesday. He allowed two loud hits with two outs in the first inning, as a Bryce Harper double was cashed in by an Alec Bohm single. But that was the only run Wrobleski allowed in hia 6 1/3 innings, which actually lowered the left-handers average outing length this season from 6.422 innings per start to 6.417, third best in the majors.
Wrobleski has lasted at least six innings in each of his last five starts, and in 13 of 16 starts this season. He’s allowed zero or one run in 10 of his 16 starts.
Cey hey
Zack Wheeler has been a buzzsaw this season, with a paltry 2.16 ERA and 2.64 xERA after Tuesday night. He struck out nine and walked none in this one, with the only blemish coming in the fourth inning. One out after Andy Pages singled, Muncy homered, giving the Dodgers the lead.
Muncy’s home run was his 19th of the season, second on the team to Shohei Ohtani. But it was also Muncy’s 228th home run as a Dodger, tying third baseman Ron Cey for fifth place on the all-time franchise leaderboard. Those two are tied for second among Los Angeles Dodgers, trailing only Eric Karros.
Most home runs, Dodgers history
Duke Snider 389
Gil Hodges 261
Eric Karros 270
Roy Campanella 242
Ron Cey 228
Max Muncy 228
Wheeler back on May 29 at Dodger Stadium allowed four solo home runs, including one by Muncy. The Dodgers have handed Wheeler his only two losses this season, scoring six total runs against him. In his other 14 starts, Wheeler is 10-0 with a 1.86 ERA, and the Phillies are 13-1 in those games.
The pitcher who got the win in both Wheeler starts was Wrobleski.
Tanner Scott got his first two batters faced to finish the eighth inning, then got into a jam with runners on second and third with one out in the ninth. Brandon Marsh hit a dribbler up the third base line. Though the game was in Philadelphia, this was a play right out of Chicago, finishing things off with a bizarre 2-5-6-4 double play, thanks to an all-time brain fart by J.T. Realmuto.
One more game remains in Philadelphia, with Eric Lauer on the mound for the Dodgers on Friday night (3:40 p.m. PT, SportsNet LA), and right-hander Aaron Nola going for the Phillies.
The Mets beat the Brewers 4-0 on Tuesday night at American Family Field.
Here are some takeaways...
-- Christian Scott and Nolan McLean dominated on the mound in Philadelphia, so tonight it was Zac Thornton's turn to follow suit. The 24-year-old left-hander was spectacular yet again, as he held the Brewers to just three hits and a walk with a pair of strikeouts over six shutout innings to earn his first career victory.
-- Thornton was in some trouble in the bottom of the first, but he turned a comebacker into an inning-ending double play. He went on to face the minimum through five innings, retiring the next 13 hitters he faced in order before the Brewers put together back-to-back singles leading off the sixth. The youngster sweat that threat off too with a strikeout, baserunning miscue, and a deep flyout to left.
-- Thornton is now down to a stellar 1.93 ERA over his first four big-league starts, and he hasn't allowed a run in 18 consecutive innings, which is the longest stretch by a Mets rookie since Steven Matz in 2016.
-- The Mets' offense was able to get Thornton a lead to work with just two innings into this one, as Jared Young lifted his seventh homer of the season into the visiting bullpen in right-center. Young also had a single across his four plate appearances, bringing his OPS to .761 for the year.
-- New York had plenty of other opportunities against old friend Brandon Sproat. They stranded runners in the first, third, and fourth but were able to break through after he was pulled in the fifth. After a two-out walk, a hustle double from Francisco Lindor and a two-run double from Carson Benge made it a 3-0 ballgame.
-- Benge had a pair of knocks, Lindor had three hits for the second time in his last three games.
-- The Mets added an insurance run in a big way in the top of the eighth. Luis Robert Jr. had been hitless over his first seven at-bats since returning from injury until he absolutely demolished a second-pitch cutter 451 feet to the concourse in left for his third home run of the season.
-- Luke Weaver pitched a scoreless seventh, Brooks Raley followed that in the eighth, then Devin Williams put the finishing touches on the victory in his first appearance back in Milwaukee.
-- A.J. Ewing enjoyed another strong game on both sides of the ball. He had a hit and a walk across four plate appearances, stole his 11th base of the season, and also made a pair of outstanding plays to help Thornton in his first-ever big-league appearance in left field.
-- Luis Torrens had two hits on the night; Marcus Semien had one but also booted a ball at second.
Game MVP: Zac Thornton
The rookie southpaw was outstanding to earn his first career victory.
Highlights
Jared Young hits a solo HR to give the Mets a 1-0 lead 🤩
TORONTO, CANADA - JULY 21: Yandy Diaz #2 of the Tampa Bay Rays hits a three run home run against the Toronto Blue Jays during the ninth inning in their MLB game at the Rogers Centre on July 21, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Mark Blinch/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Apparently the Rays needed to leave the country to get back on track.
Their offense perked up in their 7-1 win on Monday night, but it caught on fire – in a good, and not a dumpster way— tonight. Every player other than Taylor Walls had a hit, and even Walls still managed to score a run. After running through much of their bullpen, the Blue Jays ultimately brought in outfielder Myles Straw to get the last out.
The Rays started the game with a crooked number — 3 to be precise. Batting in the first against a surprisingly shaky Kevin Gausman, they scored three runs, all with two outs. Junior walked, and after that Cedric Mullins, Johnny DeLuca and Chandler Simpson all got hits account for the three runs.
In the bottom of the first, Rasmussen loaded the bases and I really thought we were back in the nightmare world of the Boston series where the Rays could never hold a lead for more than half an inning. But whatever wasn’t working — either with Rasmussen, or between him and Fortes (they seemed to take a while to get in sync) quickly got set right, and Rasmussen got out of the inning, and rolled through the Jays lineup until the sixth inning.
The Rays also threatened in the second and third innings, as Gausman’s pitch count mounted, although they did not manage to score. But I still want to focus on the third inning, when Chandler Simpson was nearly able to make runs happen. He successfully bunted for a single. The next hitter, Ben Williamson, hit a soft single to centerfield, which centerfielder Varsho bobbled so that Simpson could get to third. We could argue – and Brian Anderson did argue — that Simpson’s speed contributed to that bobble, because Vasho, worried about stopping Chandler at second, was too busy looking to second base to field the ball cleanly. Now Walls wasn’t able to get Simpson home, but nonetheless it’s an example of how his speed can become a weapon in a variety of ways. Unfortunately Simpson has a number of holes in his game; it’s not clear that his speed is enough to merit a starting outfielder role. But speed is a skill that is also so much fun to watch, so let’s enjoy it!
At any rate, the Rays drove Gausman from the game midway through the fourth, after Diaz reached on a single and Caminero on a walk. But the Rays still managed to score another run even with the new pitcher in place; Cedric Mullins, who had reached on a force play, stole second and the Jays (whose defense tonight was…not good!) threw the ball away trying to nab him. That was followed by another DeLuca single to score run number 6.
The Rays, whose offense was on life support a mere two and a half days ago, continued to pile on. Runs 6-8 came courtesy of Nick Fortes’ three-run homer in the fifth inning.
The Blue Jays ended the shut out in the bottom of the sixth inning that to some BABIP magic. Ernie Clement led off with a blooper that fell between DeLuca, Aranda and Williamson (and should have been caught, probably DeLuca needed to call off the others). George Spring hit a legit double, and then Varsho chopped a ball into the ground. It took a long time coming down to Aranda, playing behind first base, but still I think Aranda should have been able to beat Varsho to the bag. But he didn’t, and that chopped infield single ended Rasmussen’s otherwise strong outing.
The Rays bullpen — Sulser, Kimbrell and Cleavinger — were terrific, and the Rays offense continued to roll, adding another four runs in the ninth inning. The big hit there was Yandy’s three run homer, an appropriate way to celebrate his 1,000 major league game:
He was also named the Summer League championship game MVP after posting a 21-point, 10-rebound performance in a 94-90 victory against the Memphis Grizzlies on July 19.
Lendeborg is the second Warrior to win the Summer League championship game MVP, joining Ian Clark, who did it 2013. However, he is the first player in Golden State Warriors history to win the Summer League MVP. The award was first introduced in 2006.
"It means a lot. You know, it comes from all the sacrifices, all the struggle to get to this point," Lendeborg said after the Summer League championship on July 19. "Every game I play, I have something to prove to myself and to all of those that doubted me and those who don't believe in me. So I mean, I'm just very proud of this moment. I'm glad that we got to win this."
In addition to MVP, Lendeborg was also named to the Summer League First Team after he averaged 14.8 points, 6.8 rebounds and four assists in six games as Golden State won the championship.
Yaxel Lendeborg of the @warriors has been named Most Valuable Player of the 2026 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.
Lendeborg averaged 14.8 points, 6.8 rebounds and 4.0 assists in six games as Golden State won the championship.
This year has been good to the 24-year-old Lendeborg.
He was selected out of Michigan with the 11th overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft to the Warriors, finally seeing his NBA dreams come true. Months prior to draft night, Lendeborg helped the Michigan Wolverines capture their first NCAA championship since 1989, ending a 37-year title drought.
Lendeborg became just the second player to win an NCAA championship and Summer League title in the same calendar year, joining Miami Heat guard Davion Mitchell, who did the same in 2021 coming out of Baylor then playing for the Sacramento Kings.
His confidence is sky-high after an NCAA title, realizing his NBA dreams, taking over immediately and being crowned first-team and Summer League champion. Now, he's really looking forward to bringing this experience with him to training camp and the regular season for Golden State.
"Well, I'm going to bring a lot of energy. I'm (going to) be the most energetic-playing guy on the floor every night. I'm going to try to bring as many positive vibes as possible," Lendeborg said.
Joining Lendeborg on the first team is Grizzlies forward Cameron Boozer, Milwaukee Bucks guard Brayden Burries, Cleveland Cavaliers guard Meleek Thomas and Chicago Bulls forward Caleb Wilson.
The Summer League second team includes the Grizzlies' Cedric Coward, Brooklyn Nets' Egor Dёmin, Phoenix Suns center Khaman Maluach, Charlotte Hornets forward Liam McNeeley and Minnesota Timberwolves guard Zyon Pullin.
All awards and accolades were voted by all 30 NBA teams based on performance at NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.
Jul 21, 2026; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves shortstop Jim Jarvis (74) runs to third base after hitting a triple to drive in two run against the San Diego Padres during the second inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images | Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
The Atlanta Braves took an 8-3 loss against the San Diego Padres in game two of their four-game midweek series.
After an RBI single from San Diego’s Ty France to drive Fernando Tatis Jr. in for the first run, the Braves answered back with an RBI triple from Jim Jarvis to bring in Mauricio Dubón and Brewer Hicklen. This gave the Braves a 2-1 lead.
The Padres wouldn’t let that lead go on for too much longer as they responded with five more of their own, and set the tone with a homerun from Manny Machado in the top of the sixth inning for a 6-2 lead.
Hoping to clinch a come-from-behind victory like they did the previous night, another run from Jarvis off a balk gave the Braves one more run to advance to three total. It was too late, however, as they couldn’t muster a surge of consecutive runs to end the night.
The Padres finished with a 474-foot two-run homer from Tatis Jr. in the top of the eighth inning to seal the deal with an 8-3 win.
The focus shifts a bit to pitching. In Reynaldo López’s 10th start and 23rd appearance of the season, his consistency has been one of his upsides. Tonight showed differently (4.1 IP/ 9 H/ 5 ER/ 3 BB/ 6 K/ 2 HR). It doesn’t help that his last start against the St. Louis Cardinals also resulted in a shaky stat line.
Jr Ritchie came in to relieve López, pitching through 3.2 innings, but gave up three runs of his own with four total strikeouts.
Though pitching was a major aspect in the loss, the blame can’t all be put on that area. The bats were not ready today, and only Jarvis was awake to knock in some runs for the night.
The Braves will have to pull through in tomorrow’s start to build the momentum back and avoid dropping the series as they did in June with a clean sweep to send Atlanta out of Petco Park.
The offense looked solid coming after the break. Now it’s just consistency with execution that’ll have to stay in place.
