The NBA's all-time leading scorer is headed to Philadelphia for what could be the final chapter in his Hall of Fame career

James said he nearly retired, but realized he wanted one more run at a title in Philadelphia

SportsLine expert Adam Thompson delivers his best MLB bets for Friday's games

SportsLine's Mike McClure, a daily Fantasy pro with more than $2 million in winnings, gives optimal MLB DFS lineup advice for Friday, July 24

Here's what to know about the world of soccer for Friday

Subscribe to The Dunker SpotApple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTubeWe have a fun episode of the Dunker Spot coming your way! Nekias Duncan and Steve Jones take mailbag questions from viewers! Which NBA team had the had the best offseason? How do the guys watch and analyze basketball games? Who in the NBA is poised for a comeback next season?Next, Portland Fire head coach Alex Sarama joins the show to break down his coaching philosophy, the challenges of being an expansion team and how he is developing the Fire.Plus, Gabriela Jaquez joins and discusses the adjustment period to the WNBA, her welcome to the W moment and who has the best tunnel fits.If you ever have NBA or WNBA questions, email us atdunkerspot@yahoo.com0:43 Mailbag 40:28 Portland Fire HC Alex Sarama joins 01:16:41 Gabriela Jaquez joinsBam Adebayo #13 of the Miami Heat celebrates with teammates after a 150-129 win against the Washington Wizards at Kaseya Center on March 10, 2026 in Miami, Florida. He passed Kobe Bryant for the second most points scored in a NBA game. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images Watch this full episode on the Yahoo Sports NBA YouTube channelCheck out all episodes of The Dunker Spot and the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at yahoosports.tv

The Fiesta Sports Foundation has announced its 2026 preseason All-State flag football team for Arizona, which recognizes the top high school athletes in Arizona. A total of 29 girls were selected for the team, with representation from all four conferences.The student-athletes were selected by a committee of coaches, media, Arizona Interscholastic Association staff and Fiesta Sports Foundation representatives. The panel also selected the preseason All-State tackle football team. Both were announced on July 24.The teams will be recognized at the UMB Bank Fiesta Sports Foundation Football Kickoff presented by Fairmont Scottsdale Princess on Friday, Aug. 21. This year's keynote speakers are past Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy and past Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick."Arizona continues to elevate its standing as one of the country's premier proving grounds for highschool football talent," said Fiesta Sports Foundation CEO Erik Moses in a press release. This year's All-State Team honorees, many of whom have already committed to the nations top programs, reflect the best of the best within our state and set the standard for others.''2026 Fiesta Bowl All-State Flag Football TeamQB: Amaya Moreno (Campo Verde), Marlie Phillips (Liberty)WR: Claire McMahon (Campo Verde), Kinsley McCarty (Eastmark), Mikaela Oberstein (Eastmark),Markiah Riley (Hamilton), Kayla Tacker (Casa Grande), Ela Witcher (Highland)Rusher: Maddie Babcock (Mingus), Melodee Frost (Red Mountain), Demi Woods (Hamilton)LB: Allie Jensen (Mountain Ridge), Mariah Ruelas (Corona del Sol), Ginny Wilson (Mountain View)DB: Nola Bynum (Scottsdale Christian Academy), Emma Frost (Highland), Stella Hulse (Chaparral), Caroline Workman (Desert Mountain)Athlete: Isla Collins (Salpointe Catholic), Lacie Nemchick (Highland), Deztany Toyota-Villalobos(Buena)Logan Stanley is a sports reporter with The Arizona Republic who primarily focuses on high school, college and Olympic sports. To suggest ideas for human-interest stories and other news, reach out to Stanley at logan.stanley@usatodayco.com or 707-293-7650. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter: @LSscribe.This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Fiesta Bowl 2026 preseason All-State high school flag football team

Connor Zilisch has really struggled during the 2026 NASCAR season. Zilisch sits 35th in the point standings, only above Cody Ware. Despite Trackhouse Racing equipment, the driver of the No. 88 car hasn't been able to perform at a high level. However, will Zilisch return to Trackhouse Racing in 2027 or bolt to Hendrick Motorsports?With Alex Bowman returning to Hendrick Motorsports, Zilisch will drive the No. 88 car for Trackhouse Racing in 2027, as reported by The Athletic's Jordan Bianchi. The rookie driver was heavily linked to Hendrick Motorsports in the event that Bowman didn't return to the No. 48 car. It was the only realistic landing spot for Zilisch ahead of the next NASCAR season.However, this doesn't mean that Zilisch will be staying at Trackhouse Racing long-term. In fact, Zilisch will be free to join Hendrick Motorsports once Bowman retires after the 2027 NASCAR season. The biggest question is whether Hendrick Motorsports can get a deal done.Alex Bowman's likely replacement at Hendrick Motorsports revealedThis article originally appeared on Motorsports Wire: Connor Zilisch's status at Trackhouse Racing for 2027 gets big update

LeBron James will join the Philadelphia 76ers, according to a report.ESPN's Sham Charania reported on Friday, July 24, that James is signing with the 76ers on a two-year, $8 million deal with a player option.BREAKING: LeBron James is signing with the Philadelphia 76ers on a two-year, $8 million deal with a player option, Klutch Sports Group and Klutch CEO and Game Over show host Rich Paul tells ESPN. pic.twitter.com/ALOlTkgdAV Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 24, 2026

LeBron James will play a 24th season in the NBA and it wont come with the team people expected. James announced Friday that hell sign with the Philadelphia 76ers as he seeks one more championship.The decision was met with shock, mostly. Coming into Friday, the 76ers werent considered among the favorites to sign James. Two of James former franchise, the Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat, as well as the Golden State Warriors, were considered the most likely landing spots for the superstar.But it wasnt meant to be, as James opted for the surprising 76ers instead. The news came as a massive shock to Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark, who got the news as she was in the middle of a press conference ahead of WNBA All-Star weekend.Caitlin Clark reacts in real-time to learning LeBron James is joining the 76ers:No way! Wow. Ill be watching more 76ers games. pic.twitter.com/GAhbwF6oHw Scott Agness (@ScottAgness) July 24, 2026As Clark said in the above clip, she had literally just finished answering a question in which she pitched James signing with the Indiana Pacers. It wasnt meant to be. At least one person in the NBA world was also surprised by the decision. One NBA executive said Philadelphia was option No. 4 before James made his decision."That was like the option No. 4" - one executive from a team involved in the LeBron James FA sweepstakes. A lot of very surprised people around the NBA right now. Dan Woike (@DanWoikeSports) July 24, 2026James, himself, explained his choice on social media, explaining he truly contemplated retirement this offseason before deciding to join the 76ers. His full statement read:I thought I was done when the season ended. I wasn't ready to announce it, and I knew I needed some time to really decide, but I was pretty sure I played my last game. I was honest at that last press conference when I said I needed to look at myself and deicide if I still love this game. I still truly love this game, and I have more to give. The last few weeks have really been special. Ive never been able to have no clue what to do and take real time to just think. Ive had an incredible few months with all the people I love trying to figure it all out. This is my last decision. Im not going for money. Im not going for family. What am I really playing for at this point? I still want to sacrifice. I still want to work. I still want to grind. I still want to compete, to win and to have a chance at the feeling of winning another championship. I believe I can help make the Philadelphia 76ers a championship team and I am so excited to energize a new fan base and start this incredible journey one last time. Thank you LA. Miami Ill forever love and Northeast Ohio will always home!The 76ers have had quite the offseason now, with both James and Jaylen Brown joining the organization. Brown had a somewhat muted reaction to the signing, merely tweeting out a hashtag #throwtheballup.#throwtheballup Jaylen Brown (@FCHWPO) July 24, 2026Tyrese Maxey and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, on the other hand, went out of his way to celebrate the move. Maxey immediately hopped on Instagram and was yelling about the news.Tyrese Maxey on IG. (h/t @NBAKrell)pic.twitter.com/BhFH6c21xd Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) July 24, 2026Shapiro already proclaimed it LeBron James Day in the state.LEBRON IS COMING TO PHILLY.By the power vested in me as the Governor of the great Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and a die-hard Sixers fan... I hereby proclaim today to be LEBRON JAMES DAY.Welcome to the City of Brotherly Love, @KingJames. pic.twitter.com/JHsNkCFyyN Governor Josh Shapiro (@GovernorShapiro) July 24, 2026This story will be updated.