Fever coach Stephanie White says divisiveness 'will not win' during pregame rant
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indiana Fever coach Stephanie White has had enough of the conversations around the WNBA this season that aren’t about basketball. On Tuesday, she finally lashed out. The 2023 WNBA Coach of the Year and one of the original Fever players angrily defended herself after she was criticized for her response to DiJonai Carrington’s flagrant foul on Sophie Cunningham, and pleaded with people to focus on the sport and not the continual sideshows. White says: “The hate, the fearmongering, the divisiveness that’s trying to hijack our league will not win."
CBS Sports president says there's no timeline for a decision on Tony Romo's future
NEW YORK (AP) — CBS Sports president David Berson says he does not have a timeline for a decision about the future of Tony Romo. Romo is on leave from his job as the network's lead NFL analyst following his arrest last month in Wisconsin on suspicion of operating a vehicle while under the influence. Berson spoke to reporters during a network event on Tuesday. He said the decision to place Romo on leave was intended to shift attention toward the games and away from his legal situation. Analyst JJ Watt will join play-by-play announcer Jim Nantz and sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson on CBS Sports’ lead NFL team during Romo’s absence.
Vikings pick Murray as their starting QB over McCarthy, giving him the rest of camp to get ready
EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — The Minnesota Vikings have chosen Kyler Murray as their starting quarterback over J.J. McCarthy in the widely expected conclusion to what coach Kevin O’Connell pledged was a true competition. The announcement gives Murray a full month of full-time repetitions with the first-team offense before the regular season begins on Sept. 13. O’Connell and general manager Nolan Teasley met with both players in the morning to discuss the decision. An earlier decision on the starter was always going to be ideal for Murray as he's learning a new system after spending his first seven NFL seasons with the Arizona Cardinals.
LeBron James will play his first game with the 76ers against champion Knicks on NBA opening night
NEW YORK (AP) — LeBron James will play his first game with Philadelphia 76ers on the NBA’s opening night against the defending champion New York Knicks. The Oct. 20 game at Madison Square Garden will be part of a tripleheader, when the Knicks raise a banner to celebrate their first championship since 1973 and James kicks off the final stop in his career. He will return to Los Angeles to face the Lakers on Christmas, after Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs return to New York for an NBA Finals rematch to open a five-game schedule. The NBA unveiled those games Tuesday. The full schedule will be released Thursday.
Golden State general manager Mike Dunleavy optimistic Stephen Curry will finish career with Warriors
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The Golden State Warriors have every indication Stephen Curry would like to stay with the team for the remainder of his career, and they plan to make that happen for the two-time NBA MVP. It’s what the 38-year-old Curry has said he would like to do, hoping to play at least a couple more years. Whether a new contract will get done right away remains to be seen. Curry becomes eligible for a two-year extension Aug. 29.
Taylor Walls homers from each side of the plate to make Tampa Bay Rays history
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Taylor Walls homered from each side of the plate in a 12-4 victory at the Athletics on Tuesday night, becoming the first switch-hitter to do that twice for the AL-leading Tampa Bay Rays. Walls also accomplished the feat on April 18, 2023, at Cincinnati. The 30-year-old shortstop hit his first homer Tuesday left-handed in the fourth inning off Athletics starter Mason Barnett. Walls went deep as a right-handed hitter off reliever Brady Basso in the sixth, helping Tampa Bay win its eighth straight game.
Reds rally late, beat the White Sox 5-4 in the 10th to spoil pope hat giveaway night
CHICAGO (AP) — Elly De La Cruz drove in automatic runner Matt McLain with a sacrifice fly in the top of the 10th inning as the Cincinnati Reds snapped a three-game skid with a 5-4 comeback win over the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday night. The Reds rallied from three runs down in the eighth inning after White Sox starter Sean Burke allowed only one run on three hits in seven innings. The White Sox drew 38,113, their ninth sellout, for a unique giveaway: team-branded papal-style hats in honor of Pope Leo XIV, a lifelong White Sox fan who attended Game 1 of the 2005 World Series as Father Robert Prevost. Sister Mary Jo Sobieck threw out the first pitch.
Bears safety Coby Bryant to miss four to six months after knee surgery
LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) — Chicago Bears safety Coby Bryant will miss four to six months after he had surgery on his injured left knee. Bryant was signed to a $40 million, three-year deal as a free agent this offseason, was expected to be an important part of a revamped Chicago secondary. Coach Ben Johnson said Bryant had surgery Friday without disclosing details of the injury. He did not rule out the possibility that Bryant would return this season. Former Dallas and Tennessee safety Xavier Woods was signed last week and has been practicing with the starters in Bryant's spot.
Chiefs WR Rashee Rice: 30 days in a Texas jail a 'learning experience' after probation violation
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) — Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice has described his 30 days spent in a Texas jail as a “learning experience” and a “reality check.” He was jailed in May for violating probation related to a car crash. Rice spent his time rehabbing from knee surgery and watching comedian Kevin Hart on TV to stay positive. He was released in June and resumed training with quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who also was coming back from knee surgery. Rice has been productive when available, but injuries and suspensions have limited his play. He's entering the final year of his rookie contract and has much to prove this season.
Aaron Rodgers is leaning into his final year, except when it comes to playing in the preseason
LATROBE, Pa. (AP) — Aaron Rodgers is soaking in what he says will be his final NFL training camp, but he doesn't feel the need to play in Pittsburgh's preseason opener against Green Bay. The 42-year-old described the exhibition slate as "not real football" compared to what awaits when the regular season starts in September. Rodgers thinks the preseason is valuable for younger players such as Drew Allar and Will Howard to gain experience. First-year Pittsburgh head Mike McCarthy hasn't confirmed if Rodgers will play, but suggested veterans might sit out to protect their health.
