The Celtics Are Actually The Reason The 76ers Got LeBron James originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.The Boston Celtics helped the Philadelphia 76ers land LeBron James in free agency.In fact, if it wasn't for Boston, LeBron probably wouldn't be spending the 2026-27 NBA season in Philly.How? The Jaylen Brown trade.The Celtics traded Brown to the 76ers on July 1 for Paul George and draft picks.It was a clear upgrade in the present for the Sixers, and it made them a real suitor for LeBron.In The Athletic's all-encompassing report on James' decision, this is how they laid out the importance of the Brown deal:"According to at least three sources, everything changed in Philadelphia when first-year president of basketball operations Mike Gansey pulled off the bombshell acquisition of Brown, the 2024 NBA Finals MVP, from the Boston Celtics for Paul George and four future picks two firsts and two seconds on July 1, after James had already announced his decision to leave the Lakers. Before that trade, the 76ers, internally, considered themselves longshots for James. Afterward, though, they were all in."MORE:Best Celtics Shooters|Best Celtics Trash Talkers|Best Celtics DefendersIt makes sense on a couple of levels from Philadelphia's perspective.Psychologically, they felt they were really going for it once they pulled off what some thought was a lopsided deal for Brown.Add in the fact that the team simply got better with Brown in the lineup as opposed to George, and they had to feel like adding another piece like LeBron could make them a title favorite.Philadelphia will have to be healthy, but if they are, they'll be as formidable as anyone in the Eastern Conference. The 76ers sure look like a huge obstacle for the Celtics to go through.And in some ways, Boston set the 76ers up for all of this. If the Brown trade never happens, Philly's roster probably looks very different right now.More CelticsLatest CelticsnewsTD Garden fan guide: What to know before you goComplete history of Celticschampionships

Clara Ginnis is scheduled to compete in six individual events at the 2026 Commonwealth Games [Reuters]Clara Ginnis was one of two Jersey swimmers to set personal bests in Saturday's heats at the 2026 Commonwealth Games. The 18-year-old clocked 2:08.15 as she finished 23rd in the heats of the women's 200m freestyle in Glasgow. Her achievement was matched soon after by team-mate Matthew Deffains as he clocked a best-ever time of 24.34 seconds in the men's 50m freestyle.Deffains came third in his heat and was 41st out of the 68 swimmers that competed.Hannah Sterry was 25th in the women's 100m breaststroke while her brother Sam was 17th in the men's 400m freestyle. Megan Hansford's time of 1:05.48 saw her finish 23rd in the women's 100m backstroke while Isaac Dodds was 27th in the men's 100m butterfly.Deffains, Ginnis, Hansford and Sam Sterry teamed up as Jersey beat rivals Guernsey to finish seventh in their heat and 12th overall in the mixed 4x100m freestyle relay.

Sophie Cunningham points out potential problem with LeBron James 76ers superteam originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.Sophie Cunningham understands why the basketball world is excited about LeBron James joining the Philadelphia 76ers. The Indiana Fever guard also sees one potential problem with the NBAs newest superteam.James announced Friday that he will sign a two-year, $8 million contract with Philadelphia. The deal includes a player option for the second season and gives the 41-year-old an opportunity to chase his fifth NBA championship during what he has described as the final chapter of his career.The news initially caught Cunningham by surprise.Is it real? Cunningham asked during an interview with Complex Bets. Is it actually real?Once Cunningham accepted that James was truly heading to Philadelphia, she raised the same question that will follow the 76ers into the 2026-27 season.How will they keep all of their stars involved?I mean, we were kind of talking about theres only one ball amongst a lot of stars, Cunningham said. So I think thatll be interesting. But like, how cool? I think that that team is going to draw a lot of attention. Im curious to know how its going to pan out. But good for him.Sophie Cunningham identifies Sixers biggest challengePhiladelphia has assembled one of the most talented lineups in the NBA. James will join a core featuring Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and Jaylen Brown, whom the 76ers acquired from the Boston Celtics earlier in the offseason. Philadelphia also has promising young guard VJ Edgecombe and added Anfernee Simons, Dean Wade and rookie Labaron Philon Jr.View this post on InstagramA post shared by Complex Bets (@complexbets)There is no shortage of scoring ability on that roster. There may, however, be a shortage of possessions.James has spent much of his career controlling the ball and creating opportunities for his teammates. Maxey has developed into an elite scorer and primary playmaker, while Embiid remains one of the leagues most dominant high-usage centers when healthy.Brown is also accustomed to having the ball in important situations after serving as one of Bostons primary offensive options. He was named the 2024 NBA Finals MVP while helping the Celtics win a championship. Cunninghams concern does not mean Philadelphias experiment is destined to fail. James is one of the smartest and most adaptable players in NBA history, and the 76ers have enough talent to overwhelm opponents even while working through the occasional chemistry issue.Still, deciding who initiates the offense and who takes the biggest shots will be one of coach Nick Nurses first challenges.MORE:Charles Barkley calls LeBron James doofus after 76ers decision ruins golf plansLeBron James takes massive pay cut for title chaseJames willingness to accept a significantly smaller contract should make that adjustment easier. The four-time NBA MVP earned nearly $53 million during his final season with the Los Angeles Lakers. He will make only a fraction of that amount in Philadelphia after making it clear that his final decision was about competing for another championship.James averaged 20.9 points, 7.2 assists and 6.1 rebounds last season. While he is no longer expected to carry an offense by himself, he remains capable of making a major impact. Philadelphia has not won an NBA championship since 1983. Adding James to an already loaded roster immediately raised expectations and strengthened the 76ers place among the leading contenders in the Eastern Conference.Cunningham, meanwhile, is in the middle of a productive season with Indiana. She entered the WNBA All-Star break averaging 9.3 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists through 26 games for the 17-10 Fever. Her initial disbelief was shared by plenty of basketball fans. Her concern about Philadelphias crowded offense will likely be shared by opponents and analysts throughout the offseason.The 76ers have more than enough star power to win a championship. Now they must prove Cunningham wrong by making all of those stars fit around one basketball.More NBA news:Michael Jordan, LeBron James snubbed as NBAs greatest defender is revealedLatest rumors, reports on LeBron James' next destinationKlay Thompson's $17.5 million future with Mavericks hangs in the balance here's whyMichael Jordan, LeBron James snubbed as NBAs greatest defender is revealedWhy Klay Thompson could be heading to Miami with LeBron James in the mix

2026 has brought a brand-new wave of trendy MLB team gear that dominates Google searches and fan communities across North America. This year’s official-style apparel features upgraded fabric quality, updated team color grading, modern logo refinements and brand-new limited-edition drops you cannot find in ordinary retail stores. Whether you follow classic AL teams or popular NL...

Gabby Thomas, one of the deepest thinkers in track, chose to view herself as healing instead of injured" last year.That, in short, is how the Olympic gold medalist slowed, then eventually stopped by an aching Achilles tendon made it through a frustrating 2025 and turned it into a much more interesting and successful 2026.You are setting up to come back even better, Thomas said of the change in mindset about being hurt. And every time that Ive had an injury, Ive always come back stronger and better and faster. So that was what I was thinking, and then, just staying focused.The 29-year-old Thomas, who won the 200 meters at the Paris Games two years ago and is ramping up for a repeat attempt two years from now in Los Angeles, is not competing at this weekend's U.S. track championships in New York. She said it is not a signal that she is hurting.In one of the interesting twists of 2026 the middle year of the Olympic cycle that's always a little quirky for track nationals did not fit into her Diamond League and international schedule. She's doing just fine there, with five sub-22 second runs this season, which gives her 20 for her career the most by any woman at the distance.She traveled to New York to cheer on some of her teammates sponsored by Toyota, which arranged this interview.Among the highlights coming up for Thomas will be the World Athletics Ultimate Championships, where $150,000 first prizes are available, and more races at Athlos, the all-women league founded by Alexis Ohanian that is heading into its third year with a growing roster of runners, including Friday night's 100-meter champion, Sha'Carri Richardson.Athlos' second meet of the year will be in October at Ichan Stadium on New York's Randall's Island, the same place where nationals are this weekend.Thomas also is planning a wedding. Last spring, she got engaged to onetime Yale quarterback Spencer McManes (Thomas went to Harvard) and they'll get married in October at a location she did not divulge. Planning a wedding in the middle of track season?Its not challenging, she said. I always say, you make time for what you care about and what you want to do, so if you love it, youll do it.She takes that mindset into her off-the-track life, where she still has plans for a career in women's health once the running stops. Thomas studied neurobiology and public health as an undergrad, then got a master's degree in public health at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston.As a female athlete and really understanding the gaps in womens healthcare and how underfunded and how undersuited it is, theres a lot of room for improvement," Thomas said. I see myself being a part of that and narrowing that gap quite naturally. I think I will have to go back to school. I would definitely welcome that.Through much of 2025, Thomas was vocal about combating a growing trend of online harassment of female athletes by bettors. Earlier this week, she went on social media and doubled down on that, saying only one demographic of people harass her, and it's never women.Off the track, Thomas is reading a few books by Bell Hooks, a philosopher and author who wrote extensively about race and feminism, that have reminded one of the world's greatest sprinters that there's more to life than track. In a way, it might help explain how Thomas healthy again can be sitting out of nationals but still loving every minute of it.Its so easy to get very, very involved and tied into track and to make that your identity, especially at my level, she said. "Its been a nice reminder to think about who I am off the track, what I love, who I want to be.___AP sports: https://apnews.com/sports

Is Bronny James still in the NBA playing for the Lakers? How LeBron signing with 76ers impacts his son originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.LeBron James finally made his decision.On Friday, he announced that he's signing in free agency with the Philadelphia 76ers. It's a huge move in the NBA title picture, and it's also big news for the James family.His son, Bronny, is in the NBA and has spent his first two seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers.His younger son, Bryce, is heading into his second year as a college basketball player at the University of Arizona.MORE:The Process culminates with LeBron JamesHis daughter, Zhuri, is a rising volleyball player still in middle school, and it's not clear whether the James family plans to move entirely to Philadelphia.Bronny is the most fascinating immediate piece of this, because there's been speculation that LeBron could try to bring his son with him to his new NBA home.MORE:Jaylen Brown's Bronny James comments have resurfacedIs Bronny James still in the NBA with the Lakers?Yes, Bronny is still under contract with the Lakers.He's got a fully guaranteed $2.3 million salary for the 2026-27 NBA season.The contract also includes a team option for the 2027-28 season, which means that after this campaign, the Lakers (or whichever team has Bronny) can choose to exercise the option and keep him for another year, or decline it and let him go to free agency.If the Lakers want it, they have two more years of team control of Bronny.Given the improvements he made from year one to year two, particularly as a shooter, it'd make sense for them to keep him around.If LeBron asks the 76ers to trade for his son, they'll probably make it happen, but it's not a given.In the meantime, at least for now, Bronny remains a member of the Lakers.More NBA news:NBA Reddit thinks Cooper Flagg grew 2 inchesHow Heat can unite Giannis with his brothersCaleb Wilson fires a subtle shot at AJ Dybantsa, Darryn PetersonGiannis legacy with the Bucks remains intactA hint at where Bronny James will play next season

The Hundred women's competition, HeadingleySunrisers Leeds 116 all out (100 balls): Smith 48 (34); Wong 3-15Southern Brave 117-5 (96 balls): Rodrigues 42* (34); McCarthy 2-14Southern Brave won by five wickets Scorecard. TableJemimah Rodrigues struck an unbeaten 42 to guide Southern Brave to a five-wicket victory against Sunrisers Leeds and maintain their perfect start to The Hundred.The Indian batter, who played a starring role in her country's maiden ODI World Cup triumph last year, helped Brave recover from a difficult start to their chase of 117 and hit the winning runs with four balls to spare.It was the Brave's second win from as many matches in the women's competition.Sunrisers pacer Cassidy McCarthy had removed both Lizelle Lee and Maia Bouchier with superb inswingers, while South Africa skipper Laura Wolvaardt also fell cheaply as Brave fell to 36-3 after 40 balls at Headingley.But Rodrigues partnered with captain Sophie Molineux (21) to steady their innings before finding crucial boundaries in the closing stages to wrap up the win. Earlier, Bryony Smith scored 48 from 34 balls for Sunrisers, but Issy Wong claimed 3-15 and Tilly Corteen-Coleman registered 2-25 to keep their scoring in check.Sunrisers looked well set at 78-2 but lost eight wickets in adding the final 38 runs, suffering a dramatic collapse to be bowled out for 116 - a total that proved difficult to defend. All our Hundred Who Am I? quizzes in one placeWhat is happening on Sunday?There are another four games taking place.Manchester Super Giants are playing Birmingham Phoenix in the women's competition at Old Trafford at 11:00 BST, followed by the men's game at 14:30.Later, Trent Rockets face London Spirit in the women's competition, also at 14:30, and the men's at 18:00, with those games live on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer.For all matches, you can follow ball-by-ball commentary on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, BBC Sounds and the BBC Sport website and app.What is the greatest cricket book?Get cricket news sent straight to your phone

Why Dolphins are ex-Bills, Patriots 1st-round WRs 'best landing spot' in free agency originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.The Miami Dolphins have cut ties with a lot of the veteran players on their roster, but they are still trying to field a somewhat competitive team.While the quarterback position with Malik Willis, the running back with De'Von Achane, the offensive line, and the tight end rooms aren't terrible, the wide receiver room in Miami is in a terrible state.This team would benefit greatly from an outside addition. That's only one reason why Daniel Popper of The Athletic named the Dolphins as the "best landing spot" for former Buffalo Bills and New England Patriots first-round WR Brandin Cooks.Why Dolphins are Brandin Cooks's best landing spot in free agency"Cooks is a potential cheap option that would bring some professional production to a room needing it," Popper writes. "Cooks landed with the Buffalo Bills for the stretch run last season and had some promising moments. He is a veteran route-runner who can still threaten defenses in the deep part of the field."Cooks is 32 years old and has been bouncing around the NFL since he was taken No. 20 overall in the 2014 NFL Draft by the New Orleans Saints.Last season, he spent time with the Saints and Bills, posting 279 receiving yards and no touchdowns on 24 receptions. In the playoffs with Buffalo, he caught five of 11 targets for 78 yards.While he might not be the 1,000-yard receiver he was during his early playing days, Cooks is a quality veteran addition for teams in need of WR help.For a Dolphins team that really needs a veteran leader in the WR room, Cooks would be a phenomenal low-risk signing that could turn into a very valuable one.MORE:Dolphins trade idea sends Jaylen Wright to Texans for late round draft pickThe current WR room of Malik Washington, Jalen Tolbert, Tutu Atwell, Chris Bell, Caleb Douglas, Kevin Coleman Jr., Tahj Washington, Theo Wease Jr., Terrace Marshall Jr., Jalen Reagor, AJ Henning, and Donaven McCulley is not good enough.Adding Cooks won't make it significantly better, but he would help raise the floor a bit as a veteran option who'd be a nice downfield option for Willis in 2026.But another reason why Cooks might be a good signing is that if he plays well, the Dolphins could trade him mid-season by the trade deadline for a late-round pick. Even if only a seventh-rounder, it'd be a trade worth making.The Dolphins are a rebuilding team, and taking on someone like Cooks could help get them through the first half of the season, and then be used in a trade, hopefully with Bell slated to come back from injury at some point around the deadline.Cooks would be a nice pickup for the Dolphins, even if they don't end up trading him, as he'd be a floor-raiser for this lackluster WR room that needs a few good options to emerge for Willis in Miami for the upcoming 2026 season.More NFL news:If Bills trade Josh Allen, this would be the mind-blowing costSeahawks trade idea lands Jackson powers-Johnson from Raiders for one draft pick49ers urged to trade Mac Jones if they receive an offer of at least a 2nd round pickRams urged to trade for Patriots DeMario Douglas to fix WR3 problemBroncos urged to trade Riley Moss in move thatd make no sense

Where to watch Tour de France 2026: Full schedule, stages, times, TV channels, live streams, winners for cycling race originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.The world's biggest cycling race is back, with the 113th edition of the Tour de France set to wind its way from the streets of Barcelona to the finish line on the Champs-Elysees over the course of three weeks.While anything can happen across the 3,321 kilometers that await, the men who have combined to win the last six Tours will command the spotlight. Tadej Pogacar will try for his third consecutive yellow jersey and fifth overall, which would tie him for the most all-time. His primary opposition figures to come from Jonas Vingegaard, who won in 2022 and 2023 and is fresh off a triumph at the Giro d'Italia, where he became the eighth man to win all three of the sport's grand tours.It would be a surprise if the general classification battle doesn't come down to those two, but there will be plenty of other storylines to follow. First on that list is the Tour debut of Paul Seixas, the 19-year-old Frenchman who has taken the sport by storm this year with wins at the Tour of the Basque Country and La Fleche Wallonne and second-place finishes behind Pogacar at the Strade Bianche and Liege-Bastogne-Liege.American riders will also play a prominent role, with Sepp Kuss and Matteo Jorgenson serving as key escorts for Vingegaard and threats to take a stage themselves, and three-time U.S. road race champion Quinn Simmons also a potential stage winner.Who will endure across 21 stages and emerge as the champion in 2026? Here's when and where to watch every stage of this year's Tour.Where to watch Tour de France 2026TV channel:NBC (select stages), NBCSN (via YouTube TV)Live stream:PeacockCycling fans can watch every stage of the 2026 Tour de France live onPeacock. That coverage will also be on NBCSN, which is available viaYouTube TV and other providers.Phil Liggett will have the call once again as he works his 54th Tour de France, with Bob Roll providing analysis and reporting from Steve Porino and Christian Vande Velde.NBC will have live coverage of two stages: Stage 8 on July 11 and Stage 20 on July 25. Fans can also stream that coverage via YouTube TV and Peacock.Peacock features live coverage of NFL Sunday Night Football, the NBA, the Olympic and Paralympic Games, Premier League soccer, Big Ten football and basketball, Notre Dame football, Big East and Big 12 basketball, PGA Tour golf, the Tour de France and more.Tour de France 2026 schedule, stage winnersThe 2026 Tour de France will consist of 21 stages, with two rest days built in. Start times listed below are when coverage begins. NBC coverage listed below is live; the network will also air encore presentations of Stages 14 and 15 the afternoon of July 18 and 19, respectively.StageDateLocation (type)LengthTime (ET)Watch/Winner1July 4Barcelona (team time trial)19.7 km (12.2 mi)10 a.m.Visma | Lease a Bike2July 5Tarragona to Barcelona (hilly)178 km (111 mi)7 a.m.Isaac del Toro3July 6Granollers to Les Angles (mountain)196 km (122 mi)5:30 a.m.Tadej Pogaar4July 7Carcassonne to Foix (hilly)182 km (113 mi)6:30 a.m.Mads Pedersen5July 8Lannemezan to Pau (flat)158 km (98 mi)7 a.m.Olav Kooij6July 9Pau to Gavarnie-Gedre (mountain)186 km (116 mi)6 a.m.Tadej Pogaar7July 10Hagetmau to Bordeaux (flat)175 km (109 mi)6:30 a.m.Tim Merlier8July 11Perigueux to Bergerac (flat)182 km (113 mi)6:30 a.m.Tim Merlier9July 12Malemort to Ussel (hilly)185 km (115 mi)6:30 a.m.Mathieu Van Der PoelJuly 13Rest day at Cantal10July 14Aurillac to Le Lioran (mountain)167 km (104 mi)6:30 a.m.Tadej Pogaar11July 15Vichy to Nevers (flat)161 km (100 mi)7 a.m.Sren Wrenskjold12July 16Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours to Chalon-sur-Saone (flat)181 km (112 mi)7 a.m.Tim Merlier13July 17Dole to Belfort (hilly)205 km (127 mi)6:30 a.m.Mauro Schmid14July 18Mulhouse to Le Markstein Fellering (mountain)155 km (96 mi)6:30 a.m.Tadej Pogaar15July 19Champagnole to Plateau de Solaison (mountain)184 km (114 mi)6:30 a.m.Remco EvenepoelJuly 20Rest day at Haute-Savoie16July 21Evian-les-Bains to Thonon-les-Bains (individual time trial)26 km (16 mi)6:30 a.m.Remco Evenepoel17July 22Chambery to Voiron (flat)175 km (109 mi)6:30 a.m.Jasper Philipsen18July 23Voiron to Orcieres-Merlette (mountain)185 km (115 mi)6 a.m.Richard Carapaz19July 24Gap to Alpe d'Huez (mountain)128 km (80 mi)7 a.m.Tadej Pogaar20July 25Le Bourg-d'Oisans to Alpe d'Huez (mountain)171 km (106 mi)5 a.m.Richard Carapaz21July 26Thoiry to Paris (flat)89 km (55 mi)9:30 a.m.Peacock, NBCSNvia YouTube TVTour de France winners listHere are the general classification winners from the last 10 editions of the Tour de France:YearGC WinnerCountryTeam2025Tadej PogacarSloveniaUAE Team Emirates2024Tadej PogacarSloveniaUAE Team Emirates2023Jonas VingegaardDenmarkTeam Jumbo-Visma2022Jonas VingegaardDenmarkTeam Jumbo-Visma2021Tadej PogacarSloveniaUAE Team Emirates2020Tadej PogacarSloveniaUAE Team Emirates2019Egan BernalColombiaTeam INEOS2018Geraint ThomasGreat BritainTeam Sky2017Chris FroomeGreat BritainTeam Sky2016Chris FroomeGreat BritainTeam Sky