The Athletic

Marcus Smart, Wizards reach buyout, Lakers are likeliest destination: Source

In negotiating a buyout, the Wizards wanted to honor Smart’s desire to play for a contender and clear more playing time for their large number of perimeter players.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/650...

🟥 13': Hendrich
⚽️ 15': Geyoro (pen)
🤕 21': Sarai Linder off injured
⚽️ 25': Nusken
❌ 39': Disallowed goal, Cascarino
❌ 56': Disallowed goal, Geyoro
🧤 68': Nusken's penalty saved

And so much more.

France-Germany ends 1-1 in normal time... somehow.

What will extra-time bring us? #WEuro2025

JUST IN: Marcus Smart is expected to sign with the Los Angeles Lakers after agreeing to a buyout with the Washington Wizards, a league source confirms to @davidaldridgedc.bsky.social.

NEWS: Unrivaled is signing 14 women's college basketball players to NIL deals.

The signing class includes players such as JuJu Watkins, Lauren Betts, Hannah Hidalgo, Azzi Fudd and Flau’jae Johnson.

Players continue to weigh in: www.nytimes.com/athletic/650...

Rory McIlroy.

🟡 Arensman ends INEOS' two-year wait for a stage win
🦺 Pogacar plays it safe
❓ What Evenepoel abandon means for podium race
🤔 Why did Alaphilippe stuff a cardboard sign down his jersey?

📝 @oilysailor.bsky.social & @jacobwhitehead.bsky.social

🔗 theathletic.com/6503504/?sou...

As Toto Wolff ponders signing Max Verstappen, youth rugby and Pep Guardiola inspire him Toto Wolff is hoping the 2026 F1 rule changes can get Mercedes back to winning ways. But there's much more he must consider too

As a team boss, Toto Wolff has won all there is to win in Formula One.

The goal has always remained the same: be the best. Be first.

Will that eventually include Max Verstappen?

JC Tretter, Don Davis favorites for NFLPA lead role after player reps meet: Sources According to an NFLPA source, the union’s legal team is meeting with the executive committee and board of player reps in the coming days.

Player reps from all 32 NFL teams, plus several additional voices, met Friday night on a call to discuss the future leadership of the NFL Players’ Association.

@diannarussini.bsky.social on where things stand ⤵️

The Open 2025 live updates: Round 3 latest as Rory McIlroy makes flying start, tee times, leaderboard Follow live coverage of the Open Championship third round, as Scottie Scheffler looks to build his lead on moving day at Royal Portrush

The crowd was around behind him. And if it's McIlroy chasing Scottie Scheffler, it might just blow its top.

Follow along Round 3 of The Open here:

Rory McIlroy is off to an unbelievable birdie-birdie-par-birdie start at Royal Portrush in Round 3 of The Open.

How to watch the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game: Lineups, streaming, odds and all-time record book Even with Caitlin Clark resting on the sidelines, Indianapolis will be packed out and hyped up for the WNBA All-Star Game.

A record-setting season gets its well-deserved midsummer break, as the best of the WNBA shows out for a Saturday night scrimmage on broadcast television.

How to watch the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game:

Barcelona are advancing with a move to sign Marcus Rashford from Manchester United.

More from @david-ornstein.bsky.social ⬇️

🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/607...

How England saved themselves at Euro 2025: Blood, sweat, notes and… holding in a wee during the shootout Raw emotion and a never-say-die attitude came to the fore as the European champions somehow made it into the semi-finals

There was blood, sweat, notes from the bench and Chloe Kelly admitted to holding in a wee before converting her crucial spot-kick.

@charpur.bsky.social on the Lionesses' great escape ⬇️

What’s every NHL team’s best and worst jersey in franchise history? From jerseys that stood the test of time to duds that teams couldn't ditch soon enough, here's the best and worst for every team.

What do you think your favorite team’s best and worst jerseys are?

In the NHL, jerseys are more than just uniforms; they are symbols of a legacy, history and pride for teams and their fan bases.

So what’s every team’s best and worst jersey in franchise history?

Let’s start with the Kings…

Grading WNBA All-Star contests: Sabrina Ionescu’s 3-point performance sets high bar Ben Pickman grades every participant in Indianapolis' skills challenge and 3-point contest.

Ionescu is the WNBA’s best 3-point shooter, and she cemented her crown with another dazzling display.

Read more from @benpickman.bsky.social:

It was a New York Liberty sweep on Friday night at WNBA All-Star Weekend.

🗽 Skills Challenge — Natasha Cloud
🗽 3-PT Contest — Sabrina Ionescu

It's been 25 years since David Coulthard flipped the bird to Michael Schumacher — in the middle of an F1 race.

Alex Kalinauckas recently asked the Scottish ex-driver how he felt about the clash now.

(Hint: He doesn't regret it.)

🔗 theathletic.com/6480092/?sou...

It is just over a month since Sir Dave Brailsford stepped down at Manchester United — now he's back with the struggling INEOS Grenadiers team at the 2025 Tour de France.

He hasn't spoken publicly since arriving at the race. Can he turn their fortunes around?

📝 @jacobwhitehead.bsky.social

Eleven. In. A. Row.

Sabrina Ionescu wins the 2025 Starry 3-Point Contest with 30 points, making 11 consecutive baskets to propel her to the trophy.

Natasha Cloud wins the 2025 Kia Skills Challenge 🏆

It's the second time in four years a New York Liberty player has won the event.

Ketel Marte placed on restricted list after break-in at his home during All-Star break Marte requested a few days off following the incident at his Phoenix-area home during the All-Star Game.

Ketel Marte has been placed on the restricted list after a break-in at his home during the All-Star break.

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www.nytimes.com/athletic/650...

One day after Lloyd Howell Jr. resigned as executive director of the NFLPA, ESPN reported that before he stepped down, an outside investigator hired by the union received documents showing Howell charged the union for expenses involving two visits to strip clubs.

🔗
www.nytimes.com/athletic/650...

Derrick Rose is eager to shine a light on the NBA’s secret obsession – chess ♟️

Last weekend, grandmasters paired with both former and current NBA players competed in Chesstival, a chess tournament hosted by Rose.

More on Rose’s passion and investment ⤵️

www.nytimes.com/athletic/649...

Pelicans rookie Derik Queen sidelined at least 3 months after wrist surgery Queen, the 13th pick in the 2025 draft, sustained the injury in a Las Vegas Summer League contest Tuesday.

New Orleans Pelicans rookie Derik Queen, who was part of a draft-night trade with the Atlanta Hawks, underwent wrist surgery Friday and will be re-evaluated in 12 weeks.

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www.nytimes.com/athletic/650...

As Bradley Beal leaves, Suns’ trade for him goes down as one of franchise’s worst The Suns expected the Beal trade to turbocharge their championship hopes. Reality dribbled a different direction.

When the worst decisions in Suns history are discussed, locals often point to Phoenix’s failure in 2005 to re-sign Joe Johnson.

The Beal acquisition rivals it.

The Phoenix Suns get to move on from a disappointing chapter.

Bradley Beal gets to join a Western Conference contender.

The benefits for both sides are clear. And it’s not the ending most expected, writes @doughaller.bsky.social.