Author: PlayActionNews

Tim BontempsJul 23, 2025, 08:03 AM ETCloseTim Bontemps is a senior NBA writer for ESPN.com who covers the league and what’s impacting it on and off the court, including trade deadline intel, expansion and his MVP Straw Polls. You can find Tim alongside Brian Windhorst and Tim MacMahon on The Hoop Collective podcast.When the first version of the 2025 NBA rebuild rankings launched in March, the expectation was that the NBA’s draft lottery would signal a massive shift. With Cooper Flagg and Dylan Harper believed to be the consensus top two talents in the class, whichever bottom-dwelling franchises that landed…

Don Van Natta Jr.CloseDon Van Natta Jr.ESPN Senior WriterHost and co-executive producer of the new ESPN series, “Backstory” Member of three Pulitzer Prize-winning teams for national, explanatory and public service journalism Author of three books, including New York Times best-selling “First Off the Tee: Presidential Hackers, Duffers, and Cheaters from Taft to Bush” 24-year newspaper career at The New York Times and Miami Herald Kalyn KahlerCloseKalyn KahlerESPNKalyn Kahler is a senior NFL writer at ESPN. Kalyn reports on a range of NFL topics. She reported about the influence of coaching agents on NFL hiring and found out what current and…

Alexander Volkanovski is still waiting to find out who he will defend his UFC featherweight title against next.Earlier this year at UFC 314, Alexander Volkanovski once again showcased why he is one of the greatest featherweights ever when he reclaimed his title against Diego Lopes in a vacant title fight.Following his win over the soaring Brazilian, Volkanovski revealed that his family all asked him to retire but he opted to keep his gloves on and continue on in the sport.Despite that, there is some uncertainty surrounding ‘The Great’s’ next fight as there isn’t a clear number one contender in the…

Bukayo Saka’s second-half strike got Arsenal’s pre-season off to a winning start over AC Milan, which was more comfortable than the 1-0 scoreline suggested.Saka turned home Jakub Kiwior’s inviting cross from close range to finally beat Milan’s stubborn defence, with both goalkeepers Pietro Terracciano and his replacement Lorenzo Torriani denying the Gunners on a number of occasions. In their first friendly of the 2025/26 season, Mikel Arteta named only one of his new signings in his opening starting line-up as Christian Norgaard partnered Declan Rice at the base of his midfield, with Ethan Nwaneri in the hole.While Norgaard was as…

I usually preach the idea of trading for value in fantasy baseball, even if it means unbalancing your roster in the process. After all, the MLB season is a marathon, with plenty of twists and turns, and the concept of making your overall roster stronger is usually the best plan. But trading intentions change at this time of year, as it’s time for managers to make moves that address specific category or positional needs. The players listed below each have a standout category, which makes them good fits to be involved in late July trades.Batting AverageBo Bichette, SS, Blue JaysBichette…

Jones will make the first defense of her junior middleweight world title against Elia Carranza.

Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson is healthy to begin training camp after aggravating his surgically-repaired right shoulder during the offseason program. That’s good news for Richardson, who is competing with Daniel Jones to be Indianapolis’ starting quarterback. While there have been some flashes of Richardson’s talent in his first two seasons, there have also been plenty of struggles. He finished last season with a 48 percent completion rate, throwing for 1,814 yards with eight touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 11 games. He also rushed for 499 yards and six TDs.As the Colts begin training camp, General Manager Chris Ballard is still…

Juventus and Bayer Leverkusen are among the clubs interested in Chelsea winger Raheem Sterling, a source has told ESPN.Sterling has two years remaining on his contract at Stamford Bridge, and ESPN sources said Chelsea have set a £20 million ($27m) asking price on a deal for the 30-year-old.He has been training at Cobham since last week after being omitted from the Chelsea squad that won the Club World Cup in the United States.Sterling spent last season on loan at Arsenal but endured a difficult campaign, making 17 Premier League appearances registering two assists and no goals.- Transfer rumors, news: Follow…

David SchoenfieldJul 23, 2025, 07:00 AM ETCloseCovers MLB for ESPN.com Former deputy editor of Page 2 Been with ESPN.com since 1995Eugenio Suarez is suddenly the man of the hour. The third baseman for the Arizona Diamondbacks is now challenging Cal Raleigh and Aaron Judge for the major league lead in home runs after hitting two on Saturday, two more on Sunday and another one Monday, giving him 36 for the season to match Judge (and Shohei Ohtani) and trail Raleigh by three.He also might be the best player available at the trade deadline on July 31, ranking No. 1 on…

European super-featherweight champion Ryan Garner has said that people can expect “fireworks” when he fights Reece Bellotti on Saturday.The two will meet for the British, Commonwealth and European super-featherweight titles at the Bournemouth International Centre (BIC). Garner goes into the contest having recently picked up the European title with a victory over Salvador Jimenez in March.”It’s a massive opportunity for me,” Garner told BBC Sport.”I can be the first person from Southampton to be British, Commonwealth and European champion, so there’s a chance to make history.”I have massive respect for Reece but I think I’m better. That being said, this…