Hornets Send LaMelo Ball to Minnesota in Blockbuster Deal
The Charlotte Hornets have reached an agreement to send point guard LaMelo Ball and Josh Green to the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for Naz Reid, an unprotected first-round draft pick in 2033, three first-round pick swaps, and three future second-round picks. A person with knowledge of the deal confirmed the trade to the Associated Press on Thursday, speaking anonymously because the league has not yet officially approved it. ESPN was the first outlet to report the agreement. The first-round pick swaps are scheduled for 2028, 2029, and 2030, while the Hornets will also receive second-round selections in 2029, 2032, and 2033.
World Cup Hits Halfway Mark with Record-Breaking Scoring
With 54 of 104 matches now in the books and 50 remaining before the final in East Rutherford, New Jersey, the World Cup is at its midpoint — and the excitement is only building. The United States, Mexico, and Canada have all moved on to the Round of 32. Superstars like Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé have been turning heads, with Messi already netting five goals. Attendance figures are setting records according to FIFA, and 13 teams have locked up spots in the knockout stage while seven have been eliminated. Goals are coming at a rate of 2.98 per match, the highest average in more than 50 years. The knockout stage gets underway Sunday.
Detroit Lions Cornerback Terrion Arnold Jailed in Florida
Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold is currently being held in a Florida jail as he awaits a court appearance, after authorities identified him as the alleged organizer of a plan to confront and pistol-whip three men. Tampa police say Arnold believed the individuals had stolen from him and his associates at an Airbnb rental, though investigators determined the men had no involvement. Arnold is expected to face kidnapping and armed robbery charges. His agent has stated that Arnold denies any wrongdoing. Prosecutors have up to 21 days to formally file charges.
NBA Draft Takeaways: Spurs, Thunder Go Big; One-and-Done Still Thriving
The San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder made bold moves during the two-day NBA draft held in Brooklyn. The draft opened Tuesday when the Washington Wizards selected AJ Dybantsa with the first overall pick, and continued Wednesday with a flurry of second-round trades. A potential budding rivalry between Darius Acuff Jr. and Mikel Brown Jr. was one of the storylines to watch. The first eight players chosen were all college freshmen, tying an all-time record, and the New York Knicks traded back in the draft to manage their salary cap.
Chris Evert Reveals Cancer Has Returned, Will Miss Wimbledon
Tennis Hall of Famer Chris Evert announced that her ovarian cancer has come back and that treatment will keep her from attending Wimbledon this year. The 71-year-old was originally diagnosed with the disease in December 2021, and in December 2023 she disclosed it had returned once before. In a social media post, Evert said she has already undergone surgery as the first step in her care after tests confirmed the cancer had recurred again. She added that chemotherapy will begin in the coming weeks. Evert is an 18-time Grand Slam singles champion and serves as an analyst for ESPN.
Pulisic Feeling Good, Eyes Turkey Match for U.S.
Christian Pulisic says he is feeling great after sitting out one World Cup match due to a calf injury, and he is hopeful he can take the field for the United States in their final group stage game against Turkey. Pulisic delivered an impressive first half in the Americans’ 4-1 win over Paraguay in their opening World Cup match, but the AC Milan midfielder exited at halftime after a training injury tightened up. He came close to playing in the U.S.’s 2-0 victory over Australia but was held back to allow more time to fully recover heading into the later rounds.
Montreal’s Poulin Played Through Torn ACL to Win PWHL Title
Montreal Victoire captain Marie-Philip Poulin revealed Thursday that she competed through a torn ACL and torn meniscus in her right knee to help her team win the PWHL championship. The 35-year-old is expected to be sidelined indefinitely following surgery planned for late July. Poulin first suffered the injury during the preliminary round at the Olympics, yet still competed for Canada in the knockout stage, helping the team reach the gold medal game before falling to the U.S. in overtime and earning silver. The injury worsened on March 15 during a game between Montreal and Boston.
Cubs Acquire Pitcher David Peterson from Mets
The Chicago Cubs have addressed a gap in their injury-depleted starting rotation by trading for left-handed pitcher David Peterson from the New York Mets. The deal was made public before the two clubs met in their series finale at Citi Field. The Cubs had already placed Ben Brown and Edward Cabrera on the 15-day injured list Wednesday — Brown with a neck strain and Cabrera with a left hamstring strain — adding to an already lengthy list of pitching injuries that also includes Jameson Taillon, Cade Horton, and Justin Steele. Peterson, who is 30 years old, carries a 3-6 record and a 6.09 ERA across eight starts and eight relief outings this season. He will be eligible for free agency after the current season ends.
F1’s Austrian GP Activates ‘Heat Hazard’ Rules for First Time in Europe
Formula 1 drivers heading to this weekend’s Austrian Grand Prix will be carrying additional cooling equipment after officials activated the sport’s heat hazard protocols due to a scorching heat wave sweeping across Europe. This marks the first time since F1 introduced its heat rules last year that they have been triggered for a European race. The heat hazard designation kicks in when temperatures are forecast to exceed 31 degrees Celsius (88 degrees Fahrenheit) on race day, with conditions inside the cockpit capable of reaching far higher temperatures.
X Games Launches Multimillion-Dollar Reboot in Sacramento
The X Games is making a high-stakes comeback, debuting a major reboot this weekend in Sacramento with the future of one of action sports’ most recognized brands on the line. The revamped competition will feature well-known athletes such as Scotty James and Eileen Gu and introduces a new team-based format to sports like snowboarding, skateboarding, and BMX biking — disciplines that were built on a culture of independent, free-spirited competition. The opening event runs Friday through Sunday.
