DALLAS, TX - APRIL 5: Brandon Williams #10 of the Dallas Mavericks handles the ball during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on April 5, 2026 at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Dallas Mavericks have 14 of their roster spots filled for the upcoming season, leaving one vacant for them to work with.
It remains to be seen what the Mavericks will do, but there is reason to believe that a reunion with Brandon Williams could be in the cards.
“Guards who can get both feet in the paint outside of transition aren’t easy to find. Fortunately for clearance-rack shoppers, Brandon Williams is sitting right here,“ Bleacher Report contributor Dan Favale wrote.
“… A distinct lack of size hurts Williams on the defensive end. His three-point shot has also proven to be a non-starter, and even out of drives, he’s not the most reliable passer. But a 49.1 percent clip on long twos the past two years (28-of-57) coupled with reasonable free-throw shooting suggests there could be more levels to his scoring arsenal.”
When the Mavs traded for Detroit Pistons point guard Marcus Sasser, it definitely hurt Williams’ chances of returning to the team. It’s hard having Ryan Nemhard, Sasser and a returning Kyrie Irving on the roster. If Williams was added, that would give them four point guards that stand 6’2 or shorter. It’s incredibly hard to find minutes for all of them.
That being said, Williams brought an edge to the Mavericks the team needed. The attitude Williams had when he was playing for the Mavs was infectious, and it’s not easy to find that in the NBA. Williams improved a lot for the Mavericks, and who’s to say that the 26-year-old guard won’t get even better if he were to remain with Dallas?
Mavs Moneyball community, what do you think about the chances of Williams filling in the final roster spot for the team? Chime off in the comment section below.
New York Daily News | Gary Phillips: A lot of the big headlines to come out of Brian Cashman’s media availability on Thursday were around the status and recovery of Aaron Judge and his rib injury. Also during that availability, Cashman noted that the performances the Yankees have gotten from the catcher position this season have been an issue. While he emphasized that he’s looking to improve themselves in total as opposed to putting all the eggs in one position’s basket, he acknowledged that catcher has become an unexpected area of concern.
The Trentonian | Greg Johnson: One annual event during the All-Star Game weekend festivities is the Futures Game played between some of the top prospects from around baseball. The Yankees were set to be represented in this year’s event by shortstop George Lombard Jr. and pitcher Carlos Lagrange. However, both have been ruled out with injury. In their place, the Yankees will now send pitcher Ben Grable, an 11th-round pick from Indiana last year who is now in the Somerset Patriots’ bullpen. He’s much lower in the Yankees’ prospect pecking order, but is having a nice 2026 season.
MLB.com | Byron Kerr: The Yankees’ offense had one of their best performances in a while on Thursday when they put up 12 runs in a win over the Rays. A couple Yankees gave a bit of credit to a pregame speech from Jazz Chisholm Jr. ahead of that game. Jazz then played a big role in last night’s win over the Nationals, so it’s been a nice couple days for him.
Netflix: Ben Rice’s competition in the 2026 Home Run Derby is set for Monday night. Barring any late substitutions, he will face Junior Caminero of the Rays, Jac Caglianone of the Royals, Jordan Walker of the Cardinals, Munetaka Murakami of the White Sox, Willson Contreras of the Red Sox, and two host sluggers: Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper of the Phillies. Caminero and Schwarber were runners-up in the 2025 and 2018 events, respectively, while Harper was the winner in 2018, the last time he competed in one with the Nationals. Rice will be looking to become the fifth Yankee to win the event, alongside Tino Martinez (1997), Jason Giambi (2002), Robinson Canó (2011), and Aaron Judge (2017).
MLB.com: Another event this weekend is the MLB Draft, which is set to begin later today. If you want to feel old, the sons of Andy Pettitte, CC Sabathia, Jose Contreras, and other famous names from around baseball will be among those available for selection in this year’s Draft. And if you’re curious about who the Yankees might take with their top pick (No. 35), check out Dan Kelly’s article for us yesterday.
WASHINGTON — Jasson Domínguez began Friday as one of the Yankees’ hotter hitters of late — which wasn’t exactly saying much, given their collective funk before Thursday’s breakout — but Aaron Boone is setting a higher bar.
As in more of what Domínguez did Friday night.
Access the Yankees beat like never before
Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Greg Joyce about the inside buzz on the Yankees.
The 23-year-old outfielder smoked a solo shot from the left side and later singled from the right side in the ninth inning to start the game-winning rally as the Yankees beat the Nationals 5-3 at Nationals Park.
“I feel like I’ve been getting better,” Domínguez said. “I’ve been working to take better at-bats. Just go and compete, and that’s been my only focus.”
At a time when the Yankees need all the offense they can get, Domínguez is batting .333 (10-for-30) over his past eight games. Still, he ended the night batting only .242 with a .709 OPS in 34 games this season.
“I expect more,” Boone said before the game. “I feel like really all year he’s giving solid at-bats every day, but hasn’t had that breakthrough yet. His on-base percentage should not be whatever it is [.276]. He’s so much more than that. But I feel like he hasn’t struggled at all in the time that he’s been up so far. But I feel like he hasn’t caught that fire yet either.
Jasson Domínguez celebrates with teammates after belting a solo home run in the fourth inning of the Yankees’ 5-3 comeback win over the Nationals on July 10, 2026 in Washington. Getty Images
“He’s been a little unlucky, especially this last week. He’s hit some balls on the screws right at people. He did it a couple times in the Tampa series. So hopefully he’s starting to consistently square things up. When he’s doing that, he can do some special things out there with his speed and his power to all fields.”
The switch-hitter has the potential to be a difference maker in the Yankees lineup — often residing in the top half — especially as it carries on without Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton for the foreseeable future.
Domínguez remains a work in progress in right field, but if he can produce more consistently with his bat and legs, it would make his growing pains defensively easier to live with.
*Ryan Weathers turned in a strong outing against the game’s highest-scoring offense, holding the Nationals to just one run across 5 ¹/₃ innings despite receiving some shoddy defense behind him — including a pair of errors from third baseman Amed Rosario.
The left-hander changed up his pitch mix — leaning on his sweeper, slider and changeup and throwing just seven four-seam fastballs — to scatter six hits and no walks while striking out six.
“It’s definitely weird for me, but my job is to go out there and help the team win the ballgame,” Weathers said. “If me throwing less fastballs helps us win the ballgame, I want to go out there and win every possible game I can.”
Yankees Merch Shop
WinCraft insulated can coolers
Team Effort driver head cover
47 Brand adjustable cap
Customizable jersey
Logo fleece blanket
14-ounce sculpted relief coffee mug
New York Post receives revenue from affiliate and advertising partnerships for sharing this content and when you make a purchase.
Paul Goldschmidt snapped out of an 0-for-34 skid with a single in the first inning, then later added an infield single.
Angel Chivilli had two encouraging outings in the final two games against the Rays, throwing a perfect inning Wednesday and two perfect innings with three strikeouts Thursday.
That earned him a longer stay on the roster instead of being sent back to Triple-A for a fresh arm Friday.
“Wow,” Boone said. “[Thursday] was really good. And coming off a game where he pitched the day before, to be able to give us two innings, because he was efficient and the strike throwing. The changeup’s a really good pitch. He was executing with it a lot in these last two games.”
He did not pitch in Friday night’s victory.
Ben Rice’s dad was at Nationals Park early Friday afternoon to throw him batting practice, as the two got a round of prep for Monday’s Home Run Derby at Citizens Bank Park.
If you’re only only interested in the baseball happenings, you can skip down to the section titled ‘The Actual Game Recap’
If you’ve been around here at the Snakepit for long enough, you should already be familiar with the now traditional cannabis themed recape or ‘weedcaps’ every April 20th. For those who haven’t been around for that long or are just unfamiliar with how that works, a weedcap consist of me recapping the game while also consuming and reviewing different cannabis products and various accessories. Sadly this tradition was broken in 2026, as April 20th was an off day for the D’Backs, so instead we’re doing the other weed holiday, which just so happens to be today, the 10th of July. If you aren’t familiar, July 10th has become the holiday where cannabis concentrate are celebrated, and that’s entirely because 7/10 reads as OIL upside down. (Apologies to the Europeans who use date/month instead of month/date). Links helpfully provided to either define what I’m talking about or to the appropriate business’ website.
Rally Rig and MJ Concentrate Product Review
During the 2026 season, I’ve often referred to the ‘Rally Rig’ in the comment section, taking ‘dabs’ of concentrates in the superstitious hope that it rallies the team.
This piece was actually part of the Daily High Club’s April “420 stoner party” subscription box, which you can purchase here, if so desired. Pictured below is the full subscription box contents. I looked all over for a baseball related piece for the specific purpose of this article, but sadly couldn’t find much. Thankfully, the Rally Rig has anthropomorphic cannabis flower using a joint as a baseball bat on it, so it was good enough!
I’ve actually built up a fairly impressive collection of glass pieces thanks to them and I’ve largely been satisfied. However, I wouldn’t reccomend actually subscribing to the boxes, as it is mildly annoying unsubcribing. If you like cool glass display pieces, or are looking for a gift for the resident stoner/medical marijuana patient in your life, I would absolutely recommend giving their website a look.
To go with the glass piece meant to be used with concentrates, I picked up a couple different strains (Mr. Powers round glass container on the left, Blueberry on the right ) of sugar wax from Tucson SAINTS dispensary‘s house brand. In addition, I also grabbed some of IO Extracts Pineapple Chem shatter, pictured in between the two containers of sugar wax.
I won’t go into full details on the individual products, but I recommend the Saints Wax for the combination of value (2.5grams for <25$) and overall quality. IO Extracts also make quality products worth checking out, albeit at not as great of value. They’re very consistent, and have a wide array of strains, different forms of concentrates, as well as vape cartridges for those not so inclined to mess with the torch and dab rig set up. (And it is a pain to be honest, the rally rig is pretty much only used during game days.)
I had originally planned on doing a very different version of this article, but last minute time and budget constraints changed those plans.
The Actual Game Recap
Shohei Ohtani, the pitcher, was scratched as the Dodgers starting pitcher, so instead the Dodgers turned to their bullpen, starting with RHP Kyle Hurt. The Diamondbacks offense struck early against Hurt, scoring a pair of runs in the first, thanks to back to back singles from Ketel Marte and Geraldo Perdomo to lead off the game. After Corbin Carroll ground into a fielder’s choice to put runners on the corners, Gabi Moreno singled and advanced to second on a Kyle Tucker throwing error, allowing both runners to score and putting the Dbacks 2-0 over the Dodgers.
Shohei Ohtani, the hitter, made his presence in the game known immediately in the bottom of the inning, hitting a home run off Dbacks starter Eduardo Rodriguez to leadoff the game, making the score 2-1. Andy Pages followed up with a solo homer of his own, which tied the game up at 2-2. Rodriguez would get Freeman to strikeout for the first out before giving up single to Mookie Betts, but he’d set down the next two batters and exit the inning without any further damage.
Nolan Arenado lead off the second inning with a walk, but Ryan Waldschmidt struck out swinging and Tim Tawa flew out to right. That would prompt Dodgers Manager Dave Ross to take Kyle Hurt out of the game at this replaces, replacing him with Will Klein, who’d then get Marte to ground out for the third out of the inning stranding Arenado at third. The bottom of the inning proved uneventful as Rodriguez set down Teoscar Hernandez, Miguel Rojas, and Daulton Rushing in order.
In the top of third inning, after a Perdomo groundout, Carroll walked, which the Dodgers unsuccessfully challenged, which Carroll responded to by stealing his 10th base of the year. The Dbacks were unable to capitalize on the runner in scoring position with Moreno striking out and Gurriel grounding out to end the inning. Fortunately, Eduardo Rodriguez continued to cruise through the bottom of the third inning, striking out Ohtani and then erasing an Andy Pages single by getting Freeman to ground into a double play.
After an overly aggressive Ildemaro Vargas struck out for the first out of the fourth inning, Nolan Arenado walked, prompting another pitching change with LHP Brock Stewart taking over for Will Klein. After getting Ryan Waldschmidt to strikeout for the second out of the inning, Tim Tawa blasted a two run homerun to left center, giving the Dbacks a 4-2 lead. Ketel marte then struck out for the third out. In the bottom of the fourth inning, Rodriguez continued neutralizing the Dodgers offense, working around a two out double from Kyle Tucker to come out of the inning unscathed.
in the top of the fifth, Geraldo Perdomo lead off with a walk. Corbin Carroll then hit into a fielder’s choice on a ball hit 2 feet at 70MPH, but thanks to a throwing error by Dalton Rushing, he’d reach safely and Perdomo would advance all the way to third. Gabi Moreno then ground out to third, but that’d be enough to score Perdomo, putting the Dbacks up 5-2 to over the Dodgers. Another pitching change would follow, this time with RHP Edgardo Henriquez to face Lourdes Gurriel, replacing Brock Stewart.
Gurriel would go down on strikes, but not before Carroll advanced to third and then scored as a result of a balk, then a wild pitch, making the score 6-2. Vargas would then strikeout for the third out, sending it to the bottom of thw inning. In the bottom of the fifth, Rodriguez once again escaped without any damage, despite giving up a leadoff single to Miguel Rojas and a two-out single to Andy Pagès.
In the top of the sixth, the Dbacks offense blew the game wide open, though not without a casualty. After Arenado lead off with walk, Ryan Waldschmidt was injured attempting to bunt him over, resulting in Jorge Barrosa taking over in the middle of the at-bat. Update: The pitch hit Waldschmidt’s thumb, x-rays came back negative, see comments
Thankfully, Barrosa was able to finish the job bunting Arenado over and a throwing error by Dodgers third baseman Tommy Edman not only only allowed Barrosa to reach safely, but put runners on 2nd and 3rd with nobody out. Tim Tawa then singled, scoring Arenado, advancing Barrosa to third. Dbacks lead 7-2. Later in the inning Barrosa would score on a Perdomo ground out, adding an additional run to make it 8-2.
In the bottom of the sixth, Rodriguez once again allowed a baserunner, a one out walk to Tommy Edman, but managed to escape the inning unscathed.
In the top of the seventh, Jack Dreyer would take over for Edgardo Henriquez and posted a scoreless inning, though he did allow a two out single to Ildemaro Vargas. In the bottom of the seventh inning,
Rodriguez was relieved by Brandynn Garcia, who put up an easy 1-2-3 inning by getting Vargas to pop out, followed by striking out Rushing and Ohtani.
Evan Phillips would take the ball next for the Dodgers in the bottom of the eighth inning. Before recording a single out, Phillips gave up a Jorge Barrosa single, a wild pitch, and then a Tim Tawa RBI single. That tacked on one last extra insurance run, making the score 9-2. Phillips then set down the top of the Dbacks order to send it to the bottom of eighth. Jonathan Loáisiga took over for Garcia, who pitched an uneventful, scoreless eighth inning.
Alex Vesia would take over for Phillips for the top of the ninth and allow a leadoff double to Moreno, but got Gurriel to pop out, then struck out Vargas and Arenado to send it to the bottom of the ninth. Drey Jameson, taking over for the ninth inning, allowed a leadoff single to Tommy Edman and two outs later an RBI double to Miguel Rojas, but got Dalton Rushing to ground out, ending the game.
Wembanyama helped France win silver at the 2024 Olympics [Getty Images]
NBA star Victor Wembanyama has signed a long-term deal with the San Antonio Spurs.
The 7ft 4in France centre's deal, according to ESPN, is for five years and worth $252m (£188m), which is the NBA's maximum for a rookie scale player extension.
The 22-year-old reportedly has an option in the fifth season and could have opted for clauses to make the deal worth more but did not do so to give the Spurs more financial flexibility.
"Spurs family, I'm here to stay. Whatever it takes," Wembanyama wrote on social media prior to the deal being announced.
The two-time All-Star, who was the first overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, helped the Spurs reach the NBA Finals last season but they missed out on the title, beaten 4-1 by the New York Knicks in the best-of-seven series.
He had a league-leading 3.1 blocks per game, while he averaged career highs of 25 points, 11.5 rebounds and 3.1 assists in 64 regular-season games during the 2025-26 campaign.
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 10: Pacome Dadiet #4 of the New York Knicks drives to the basket during the game against the Brooklyn Nets during the 2026 NBA Las Vegas Summer League on July 10, 2026 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Candice Ward/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
We so back the Knicks even played basketball yesterday.
It was a Summerbeating at the hands of the Neighbor Nets, but that’s the only place Brooklyn can beat New York these days.
Here’s the latest from Las Vegas.
Knicks are expecting Jack Kayil to debut tomorrow at Summer League against the Spurs, sources tell me.
The #39 overall pick wasn’t on NY’s roster until yesterday, when they got clearance from Alba Berlin.
Team wanted to get him out to Las Vegas, on the floor in orange and blue.
On Mohamed Diawara, Pacome Dadiet, and the Summer League opener:
“I think they struggled a little bit. We talk about responding to adversity, we got to respond to adversity. They have to respond to adversity tomorrow. They struggled a little bit. They let little things affect them on the defensive end and then it kind of snowballed. So we got to be better. It’s on those two guys and Dillon Jones and me to be better.”
— James L. Edwards III (@JLEdwardsIII) July 11, 2026
Mohamed Diawara
On the last few weeks after winning the NBA championship:
“I went straight, straight to the gym because I knew that I had some work to do. So, I mean, a little bit of fun, a little bit of break, but right back to work. I got after it like two days after the parade and everything. So, yeah, a lot, a lot of work.”
On re-signing with the Knicks:
“I had a great season with the Knicks. We just won the title, so I didn’t have anything to do anywhere else. So yeah, for sure, I was happy to be back.”
On how his offseason approach has changed after one NBA season:
“Yeah, a little bit. Now I know that I’m physically going to be more ready, more consistent at the two-point shots. So, yeah, I know that my summer was way different now, but I know a little bit better.”
Clarifying his free agency comments:
“I just said that I wouldn’t have taken up free agency. After the parade, I just really liked the work and was thinking about the Summer League, I didn’t even think about the free agency.”
On his Summer League performance:
“I got to do way better. I think the level that we take back is, like, a little way better. I can play like I played today, and just be better than last game.”
On Mitchell Robinson’s mentorship:
“He’s a great guy, great player, great person. I enjoyed the run here this season, and I look forward to play against him next year.”
— James L. Edwards III (@JLEdwardsIII) July 11, 2026
Tyler Nickel
On joining the defending NBA champions:
“Yeah, I mean, it’s crazy, like, how fast everything happens. But, you know, hearing my name, obviously, I was super excited. Obviously, a championship organization. I thought it was perfect. It’s a perfect situation to see what they’re all about and the standard that they hold everybody to in the program. I think that’s perfect to be around.”
On what the Knicks see in him:
“That’s really hard to say right now. I’m not going to speak on it because I can’t really specify what they see in me, but I’ll let you close out that.”
On entering the Summer League with nerves:
“Of course, yeah. As a kid, you know, you dream about being in the NBA. So this is obviously one of the stepping stones of being in the league. So it’s definitely something—if you didn’t have nerves, you don’t care. So definitely some nerves going through it, but then once you get to playing, it’s a basketball game.”
On whether he models his game after anyone:
“I’ve just been playing for a couple years, I believe. I feel like I’m a mix of some different styles. My size and strength and shooting ability, I feel really comfortable shooting off the move. So, like, a Duncan Robinson, Max Strus, Sam Hauser… but then, I have my own type of, like, just way of being. So it’s kind of like a mix of a lot of people, but also myself.”
On only mentioning white players as his comps:
“Hey, listen, they got roles in the league, man.”
On whether Friday was the first time he talked to Mikal Bridges and Miles McBride, who attended the game:
“Yeah, it was my first time seeing them being around. They seem like really good dudes, and I’m excited to know them better.”
On choosing No. 55 with the Knicks:
“I’ve also always been five, ever since high school. In college, I had to not be five a couple times just because it was taken. But five has been my number. People back home will call me T-Nick, which is my nickname, but a lot of people call me T-Five. So just five has always been me. So then when 55 was available, I was like, ‘I can’t get five, so 55 is cool.’”
Julius Randle on similarity between Brooklyn and when he first joined #Knicks: “There's definitely some similarities for sure. Each challenge is different; it has its own different challenges. I’m definitely ready to step up to this one. This will be exciting.” #nba#nyk#netspic.twitter.com/MEV25KaHPX
On the similarities between joining the Nets and joining the Knicks:
“There’s definitely similarities for sure. Each [situation] is different. It has its own different challenges. I’m definitely ready to step up to this one. This will be exciting. But it’s definitely similar.
“And for me, I have a lot more experience now than I did when I was that player. So I feel like from a leadership standpoint, I can help a lot more, just being through it and having that experience.”
On his conversations with Nets coach Jordi Fernandez:
“They’re really excited to have me here. Jordi [Fernandez] is really excited. He feels like going into every game, we’ve got a chance to win every single game. To have that confidence from your coach is amazing. … I get to come in and be a leader, show guys how to be a pro.
“We’re coming in trying to win. It’s as simple as that. However we can help give the younger guys experience and confidence and help them fast-track or whatever it is to contribute to winning basketball, that’s really all that matters. All I care about, at the end of the day, is winning, and I know that’s what those guys care about. If I can help give them that experience, great.”
On his playmaking:
“I really enjoy getting guys going: pushing the pace, kick-aheads, opening the floor, getting to the paint, spraying the basketball. It’s about us building our chemistry, knowing where guys like the ball, what spots they want the ball in, guys understanding me and what I’m looking for. It’s going to be fun.”
On trade rumors and joining Brooklyn:
“It feels great to be here. It’s a great opportunity. It’s a city I’m already really familiar with; it’s a situation that I’m familiar with. Then, there’s a lot of talent.
“As far as the trade stuff, man, I’m 13 years in, bro. I played in New York already; so you hear that stuff all the time. I’m used to that. It just is what it is. You ride the wave of it. At the end of the day, I’m playing basketball and I’m doing what I love for a living. So, it’s all I ask for.”
Mikal does ad: “…The mask is portable so I can keep doing my daily routine while I get my skin care in”
Two years ago, Saquon Barkley signed as a free agent in Philadelphia, won a championship in his first season there, and became one of the city's most beloved athletes. Barkley is now recommending the same course of action to LeBron James.
James is a free agent and the Philadelphia 76ers are among the teams in the mix to sign him. Barkley has weighed in and told James that
"I think it's one of the greatest sports towns in the world," Barkley told NBC Sports Philadelphia. "I know [New York Knicks player] Josh Hart said the opposite. I saw that today on Twitter. But I have to disagree with him. If you want to go out with a bang, I feel like a great spot would be in Philly, and bringing a championship to Philadelphia, you'd be remembered forever."
James has played for three NBA teams and won championships with all of them, winning in Miami in 2012 and 2013, Cleveland in 2016 and Los Angeles in 2020. Barkley thinks Philadelphia in 2027 would be a nice place for James to cap his career.
Fullback scores hat-trick as New Zealand win 47-17 in Wellington
New coach Dave Rennie has back-to-back wins in his first matches
Will Jordan grabbed a hat-trick of tries including a record 50th for New Zealand as the All Blacks thrashed Italy 47-17 in the Nations Championship Test.
Jordan touched down once in the first half and twice in three minutes after half-time at Wellington Regional Stadium to eclipse Doug Howlett’s record against the outclassed Italians.
Australia in gold, France in blue, round two of the Nations Championship is under way…
Anthem time in Brisbane, which means an always welcome rendition of La Marseillaise. Advance Australia Fair pales by comparison, but the duration of the song allows plenty of close-ups of the Wallabies’ excellent First Nations jersey, worn to coincide with NAIDOC Week here in Australia.
With content-stacking and spoiler-avoiding, a fan with the right subscriptions can expect to enjoy 13 uninterrupted hours on the sofa on Saturday
Start practising those excuses. For England fans, this Saturday is one of those that demands serious thought, by which I mean how to wheedle out of prior engagements and family obligations. No fewer than four of the national teams are in action, and to catch all the matches will require time, dedication and some nifty work with a TV recorder. How else can you expect to navigate the problem of the rugby team’s Fiji fixture kicking off only 20 minutes before the men’s T20 against India?
With some judicious content-stacking and spoiler-avoiding, however, a fan with the right subscriptions can expect to enjoy 13 uninterrupted hours on the sofa – starting with the morning session of the women’s Test and climaxing with a late-night footballing knockout against Norway. Nor is England the only game in town: there are three other home nations rugby matches to be watched, a Wimbledon women’s singles final, and the Tour de France.
Heatwaves have long been part of the Tour but temperatures now are pushing the riders to limit of human endurance
The Tour de France and the heat of the midday sun are old bedfellows, going back long before an era when the biggest catastrophe of the Tour’s opening week was a major fault in the Visma team bus’s air conditioning. Flip back 50 years to my favourite Tour read, the late Geoffrey Nicholson’s The Great Bike Race, and we find the doyen of cycling writers discussing a Tour that began in baking conditions in the Vendée, and continued through the canicule in central France and Normandy.
“The heatwave,” wrote Nicholson, “is becoming a serious worry.” He describes the late Raymond “Pou-Pou” Poulidor as “an old sweat” – pun alert – “in legionnaire matters”, who was “careful to limit himself to two litres of water on a stage … it is part of the collective wisdom of the peloton that too much water leads to depression and fatigue.” Tell that to the Tour men of 2026 as they glug down one bidon after another.
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 10: Adou Thiero #1 of the Los Angeles Lakers passes the ball during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on July 10, 2026 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
He was flying all over the Thomas & Mack Center and looked the way a two-year player should, as though he has no business competing against this level of talent.
Thiero ended the night with a game-high 20 points and he had a slew of highlight dunks that rocked the crowd and demoralized Oklahoma City.
This was everything the Lakers hoped he could be when they selected him in the second round of the 2025 NBA Draft. Now a year later, he is starting to reach his potential.
“He just wasn’t rushed tonight,” Lakers coach Ty Abbott said after the win. “He took what was in front of him. He attacked matchups. He understood that there was going to be some paint-swarming. Those guys were going to try to flood and meet him at the rim and he made the right pass. When he started doing that, it started to open up for him and he was able to finish at the rim.”
This was in stark contrast compared to Thiero’s start in the California Classic.
In that game, he was still active and a ball of energy, but in the worst ways possible. His play felt rushed. He was attempting shots from uncomprehensible positions. He had just nine points and his lackluster play was a big reason why the Warriors dominated.
But that was then, and this is now.
On Friday night, Thiero was hotter and more relentless than the Las Vegas sun.
He was getting the ball in motion and touching the paint whenever he wanted. When he had the ball at the top of the key, Thiero made the right decisions regarding when to attack and when to pass. He had great instincts for the ball on defense, registering a trio of steals and two impressive blocks.
Adou Thiero making plays on both ends 😁
Chasedown swat. Layup to beat the 3rd quarter buzzer.
Thiero has a rare curse: he’s almost too athletic. It allows him to do things no one else can, but also to try things no one should.
Figuring out how to channel his elite athleticism will be the key to him maximizing his ability and his career.
“Pace and just being patient,” Abbott said when asked how Thiero can play with control. “Sometimes it’s kind of two ships passing in the night. You got two guys going at once. Just letting the action come to him, seeing what opens up, and then attacking it then rather than being predetermined in what you want to do.”
All play in Summer League has to be taken with a grain of salt. The list of players who looked good at this level is massive, but the number who were able to translate that to the NBA is small.
Now, that’s all in the past. And his future has never looked brighter.
“Definitely feels good to go out and get the reps and then seeing some of the stuff you work on, go out there and work,” Thiero said. “But at the same time, still a lot of work to go. In these games I still see where I need to develop.”
If Thiero keeps this up, all the work he is doing will ultimately translate into his regular-season performances. He has the talent, has put in the work, and on Friday night, Lakers fans got an appetizer on what it could look like when it all comes together.
Here’s hoping that ultimately comes to fruition not just during the rest of Summer League, but in the fall with the main team.
Jul 10, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; Colorado Rockies infielder Kyle Karros (12) breaks his bat and hits a two RBI single against San Francisco Giants pitcher Caleb Kilian (not pictured) during the ninth inning at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Robert Edwards-Imagn Images | Robert Edwards-Imagn Images
The Colorado Rockies spent most of Friday night creating chances without cashing them in.
They finally broke through in the ninth.
Kyle Karros delivered a go-ahead, two-run single, Cole Carrigg added a sacrifice fly, and Juan Mejia needed one pitch in the bottom of the ninth to strand the bases loaded and secure a 4-3 win over the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park.
Colorado improved to 39-57. San Francisco fell to 39-55.
The Rockies loaded the bases with nobody out in both the sixth and ninth innings. They came away empty in the sixth, but scored three times in the ninth before nearly giving the lead back.
Gordon and the defense limit the damage
Tanner Gordon allowed one run on eight hits over five innings. He walked one, struck out one and threw 81 pitches, 54 for strikes.
It was not a dominant outing. Gordon generated only three whiffs on 35 swings, and his velocity was down across the arsenal. His four-seam fastball averaged 90.7 mph, more than two mph below his season average.
The movement was better. Each of Gordon’s five pitches showed more induced vertical movement than its season norm.
He also used a balanced mix. Gordon threw 20 changeups, 19 sinkers, 19 sliders, 19 four-seamers and four curveballs. Against right-handed hitters, the four-seamer remained his primary pitch at 36%.
Rafael Devers opened the second inning by lifting a 79.7 mph curveball over the right-field wall for his 19th home run and a 1-0 Giants lead.
Gordon then worked through several threats with help from the defense.
In the third, Luis Arraez singled and Casey Schmitt reached on an infield hit. An Ezequiel Tovar throwing error moved both runners into scoring position, and the Rockies intentionally walked Devers to load the bases.
Gordon recovered to get Willy Adames to fly out to Tyler Freeman in right.
Cole Carrigg made the biggest defensive play of Gordon’s final inning.
Arraez opened the fifth with a single before Schmitt drove a fly ball deep to center. Carrigg made the catch, got behind the ball and threw Arraez out at second. The Giants challenged, but the call stood.
Devers followed with a 109 mph single to right, but Gordon retired Adames on a groundout to finish five innings with the game tied.
Ray keeps Colorado from building innings
Robbie Ray allowed one run on four hits across five innings. He walked six, struck out four and threw 100 pitches, 53 for strikes.
Ray was effective despite inconsistent command. He threw first-pitch strikes to 12 of 23 hitters and put only 35% of his pitches in the zone.
Colorado hit eight of its 13 balls in play against Ray at 95 mph or harder, but most of that contact did not lead to runs.
Ray also continued to de-emphasize his four-seam fastball. He threw it only 15% of the time, compared with a 37% season rate. His sinker led the mix at 33%, followed by the knuckle curve and slider at 20% each.
Kyle Karros recorded Colorado’s first hit in the third, extending his on-base streak to 18 games. Jake McCarthy advanced from first to third, but Carrigg struck out to leave runners at the corners.
Hunter Goodman walked to begin the fourth but was caught stealing. Rumfield followed with a 102.7 mph single before Freeman grounded into an inning-ending double play.
Colorado tied the game with two outs in the fifth.
Tovar lined his 17th double of the season to left at 105.1 mph. McCarthy then drove a 2-0 sinker into right field for his 18th double, scoring Tovar.
It was McCarthy’s 52nd RBI and Colorado’s first hit in four chances with runners in scoring position.
Carrigg, Goodman and Rumfield drew consecutive walks to load the bases with nobody out. San Francisco brought in Dylan Smith.
Smith escaped on 15 pitches.
Freeman popped out on the infield-fly rule, Willi Castro struck out and Mickey Moniak grounded out.
Brennan Bernardino kept the game tied in the bottom half. He walked Bryce Eldridge, then got Jung Hoo Lee to line out before Gilbert grounded into a 4-6-3 double play.
The Rockies missed another opportunity in the seventh. Karros singled with two outs, but Sam Hentges struck out Carrigg to end the inning.
Devers puts the Giants back in front
Jimmy Herget retired the first two hitters in the seventh before San Francisco started another rally.
Arraez singled and stole second. Schmitt walked, and a passed ball charged to Goodman moved Arraez to third.
Devers then drove a 91.3 mph sinker through the right side at 106.8 mph, scoring Arraez and giving San Francisco a 2-1 lead.
Antonio Senzatela worked a clean eighth inning, striking out Eldridge before retiring Lee and Gilbert on ground balls.
Rockies score three in the ninth
The Rockies entered Friday ranked third in MLB with an .837 OPS in the ninth inning.
Their late offense showed up again.
Moniak opened the ninth with a single against Caleb Kilian. Troy Johnston pinch-hit for Tovar and drew a walk.
McCarthy then executed an obvious bunt situation perfectly. He pulled the bat back on the first two pitches, then placed a bunt down the third-base line and beat it out for a single.
That loaded the bases with nobody out.
Karros followed with the decisive hit. He fought through a six-pitch at-bat and punched a broken-bat single through the middle, scoring Moniak and Johnston for a 3-2 lead.
Carrigg initially showed bunt, worked the count to 3-1 and then lifted a fly ball to left. McCarthy scored easily, extending the lead to 4-2.
Goodman added a single before Edouard Julien grounded into a forceout and Freeman struck out looking.
Mejia gets the final out
Jordan Romano entered for the bottom of the ninth with a two-run lead but could not finish the game.
He walked Cavanaugh before Eric Haase entered as a pinch-runner. Grant McCray grounded into a forceout, then stole second. Romano walked Arraez, putting two runners aboard with one out.
Schmitt then hit a 102.7 mph sinking liner to center. Carrigg charged and made a diving attempt, but replay showed the ball barely touched the ground before rolling into his glove.
The call was overturned, but not without some weirdness. Schmitt was credited with a single, and the runners were placed at third, second and first.
Colorado finished 3-for-11 with runners in scoring position. San Francisco went 3-for-8.
Each team recorded one two-out RBI. McCarthy drove in Colorado’s run in the fifth, while Devers delivered San Francisco’s go-ahead single in the seventh.
The Rockies stranded 11 runners. The Giants left 12 aboard. Colorado drew seven walks and struck out nine times. San Francisco walked six times and struck out three.
Karros led the Rockies by going 3-for-5 with two RBI. His third hit drove in the winning runs.
McCarthy went 2-for-4 with a double, a walk, one RBI and two runs. He tied the game in the fifth and loaded the bases in the ninth with his bunt single.
Rumfield reached in all four plate appearances, going 2-for-2 with two walks. He also made a key defensive play on Ramos’ liner in the fourth.
Carrigg went 0-for-3 with three strikeouts, but he contributed several important defensive plays and drove in Colorado’s final run with a sacrifice fly.
Devers accounted for all three Giants runs. He finished 3-for-3 with a home run, an RBI single, a sacrifice fly, a walk and three RBI.
Senzatela earned the win with a scoreless eighth inning, improving to 9-1 with a 3.00 ERA.
Kilian took the loss after allowing three runs without recording an out in the ninth. He fell to 2-5 with a 4.74 ERA.
Mejia earned his fourth save.
Up next
The Rockies and Giants continue their series Saturday afternoon at Oracle Park.
Colorado will send left-hander Kyle Freeland to the mound. Freeland enters at 2-7 with a 7.46 ERA and 70 strikeouts.
San Francisco will counter with right-hander Tyler Mahle, who is 1-8 with a 5.70 ERA and 69 strikeouts.
This. THIS is what a complete Rays win feels like.
Taking advantage of opponent’s mistakes, crisp baserunning and a defensive clinic. That is the brand of Rays baseball that has been both the most successful and entertaining this season.
But before we delve into tonight’s on-field action, for the first time since the 2023 Wild Card Series, Tropicana Field’s upper deck was open to fans, and it was quite the treat.
Once fans were able to put butt to seat, there was a pregame ceremony that celebrated the five Rays All-Stars, complete with them receiving their All-Star jersey; Junior Caminero, Yandy Diaz, Drew Rasmussen, Brian Baker, and Nick Martinez. Martinez, added to the roster after Red Sox pitcher Ranger Suarez landed on the injured list, had plans to visit Walt Disney World with his family before getting the nod that he was Philadelphia bound.
Martinez kept consistent with what he’s done the entire first half, going 5.1 innings allowing two earned runs, and striking out and walking one apiece.
Defensively, tonight’s contest from One Trop Drive started with a spectacular diving play from Richie Palacios on the first play of the game, and a nifty grab by Taylor Walls the play after.
In the bottom of the third inning, the offense clicked.
A Caminero double just past the third base bag and a Chandler Simpson single up the middle later, and it’s 1-0 Rays.
Then Tampa Bay started to flex some muscle. Palacios homered to lead off the fourth inning to bring the score to 2-1 Rays.
In the bottom of the fifth, things got peculiar.
Left fielder Randy Arozarena, returning to Tropicana Field for the first time after being traded to the Mariners in 2024, is nursing a tight hamstring sustained in the series prior against the Marlins.
On a foul ball from Cedric Mullins near the left field line, Arozarena went after it, and pulled up about 20 feet away from the ball, with the ball landing about a body’s length away from his outstretched glove.
From the naked eye, it appeared if he kept running at the same speed during the chase, he would catch the ball for a crucial out in the ballgame.
The very next pitch, a hanging slider, was deposited into the right field seats by Mullins to put the Rays up 3-1, and two batters later, Victor Mesa Jr. decided to get in on the fun, as he left the yard with a solo shot.
In the bottom of the seventh, Tampa Bay went for the dagger.
Jonathan Aranda singled to left, and ‘La Maxima’ did what ‘La Maxima’ does, and that’s have a flare for the dramatic. A two-run shot all but puts the start of Longo Legacy Weekend to bed.
— Caminero Fan Club (@CamineroFanClub) July 11, 2026
Chandler Simpson continued to swing a hot bat, having had another multi-hit game tonight, and in the seventh had about the most Simpson-esque trip around the bases that he can have.
He singled, advanced to second base on a Mesa Jr. single, advances to third on a disengagement violation for the pitcher stepping off the rubber three times, and scores on a sacrifice fly from Walls.
Kevin Kelly secures the last six outs, and the Tampa Bay Rays win by a score of 7-2.
LAS VEGAS — Caleb Wilson was drafted No. 4 because he could step in and help Chicago on defense right away, and he had high offensive upside down the line.
Someone forgot to tell Wilson.
#4 pick Caleb Wilson was IMPACTFUL in his NBA Summer League debut for the @chicagobulls!
For some context on how out of the blue this was: Wilson was 7-of-11 from 3 in his Summer League debut, he was 7-of-27 for the season in 24 games for North Carolina.
But Summer League is about potential and dreams, and Wilson showed the potential that had the Bulls jumping for joy when they selected him No. 4. He's a player who has Bulls fans dreaming of playoff relevance again.
In a Friday night game in Las Vegas that was billed as a showdown between the No. 3 pick Cameron Boozer — who showed off the variety in his game on his way to 23 points on 7-of-12 shooting — and the No. 4 pick Wilson, it was the young Bulls star who stole the show.
Wilson scored the most points ever in a Las Vegas Summer League debut with 35. He showed off his high-level athleticism, but also more craft than was expected — and a sweet jumper.
"I've been working on it hard for a long time, so I mean, I'm not shocked at all," Wilson said of getting his 3s to fall.
"He shot the ball well, of course," Bulls coach Tiago Splitter said. "I mean, in college, he didn't shoot like that, but tonight he was he was effective, and he kept shooting."
While the shots were falling, maybe Wilson's biggest highlight of the night was a chasedown block on a layup.
Watch how fast Caleb Wilson got down the floor for this SWAT
“I turned the ball over, trying to be trying to be sexy, and then, I mean, you gotta make up for it," Wilson said. "I knew I can't get I can't turn over and give up a layup, and athleticism will make up for that almost every time. So I just had to go do what I had to be done."
It's just one game of Summer League, but for Wilson it was more than that — it was a chance to get back on the court after he was robbed of the end of his North Carolina season due to injury.
"Honestly, like I cried before I played today," Wilson said of getting to play. "I mean, it's been five months to the day since the last time I played, and I've just been really emotional because I haven't been able to play, and I felt terrible because my team lost in the tournament and my coach got fired. It just was a lot for me at that point. So coming out today, just felt like I've been waiting so long for this opportunity."
Still, it's just one game.
"We're getting to know him, of course, the first game," Splitter said. "He played extremely well, shooting the ball and doing different things. But this is a long road, and you know, be patient with everything."
