Spurs receive surprising placement in Bleacher Reports starting lineup rankings originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.Following their first NBA Finals appearance since 2014, the San Antonio Spurs are widely considered to be one of the NBAs top contenders entering the 202627 season. However, some questions may remain regarding the Spurs starting lineup.Bleacher Reports Greg Swartz released his latest starting lineup rankings Sunday, and San Antonios projected starting five ranked just No. 6 overall. The top five teams on the list were as follows:Philadelphia 76ersOklahoma City ThunderNew York KnicksIndiana PacersDenver NuggetsSwartzs projected starting lineup for San Antonio featured DeAaron Fox, Stephon Castle, Devin Vassell, Julian Champagnie, and Victor Wembanyama. The group was the most commonly used combination by Mitch Johnson last season, and the Spurs were 213 in games where that five started.Swartz highlighted the uncertainty surrounding the group, particularly in the backcourt. He pointed to Castle and Dylan Harper as representing "the backcourt of the future" for the Spurs but noted that current starting point guard De'Aaron Fox "may not like the idea of being a sixth man." He also wrote that recent free agent addition Tobias Harris could challenge Champagnie for the starting power forward role.While its understandable why some of those teams were ranked ahead of San Antonio, critics of the ranking could point to the Spurs run to the NBA Finals last season as evidence they should have been ranked higher. The teams ranked ahead of San Antonio are all extremely talented and have compelling cases for their spots on the list. However, several of them will also have to reintegrate key starters who missed significant time due to injuries, including Aaron Gordon and Christian Braun for Denver, Isaiah Hartenstein and Jalen Williams for Oklahoma City, and Tyrese Haliburton and Aaron Nesmith for Indiana.With Wembanyama leading the way, the Spurs have one of the leagues highest ceilings. Their overall rotation is undoubtedly a strength, with pieces like Harper and Harris set to have huge roles regardless of their starting status. Whether San Antonios starting five remains the same or evolves throughout the season, the Spurs appear poised to contend for a title, making their ranking one of the more debatable placements on the list.MORE San Antonio Spurs News:Spurs receive strong marks for offseason moves as championship pursuit continuesVictor Wembanyamas status for FIBA qualifiers revealed ahead of 202627 NBA seasonVictor Wembanyama joins NBA 2K history with reported cover athlete selectionKarl-Anthony Towns reveals why he said Victor Wembanyama can't guard him in theFinals

Jamal Adams is back for another term.Adams, the 2017 first-round selection of the New York Jets also known by his nickname "Prez," is gearing up for his 10th season in the NFL after he seemingly announced his signing with the Minnesota Vikings on July 27."Year 10. #skol," he posted on X.Year 10. #skol Jamal Adams (@Prez) July 28, 2026Adams, a former first-team All-Pro safety (2019), will play for his fifth different team in the last four seasons and his sixth overall squad during his tenure in the NFL.He joins the Vikings just days after the sixth anniversary of the 2020 trade that sent him from the New York Jets to the Seattle Seahawks for a package of picks, which included two first-round picks.Notably, Adams played a different position in 2025, with a glut of his snaps coming in the box in 17 games (four starts) with the Las Vegas Raiders. He also split out as a slot cornerback, per PFF snap counts.During the prime of his career, he lined up more as a traditional safety. Injuries robbed Adams of playing time in the early 2020s, as he suffered a torn labrum, torn quad tendon and a hip injury.Adams' physicality playing close to the line of scrimmage has been a hallmark throughout his career, with his ability to pressure the quarterback in his early years giving him a unique skill set for a safety.The Vikings are still awaiting a decision from longtime defensive back Harrison Smith, who has yet to announce whether or not he'll return for another NFL season.Jamal Adams ageAdams enters this upcoming season at age 30, and turns 31 in October.Jamal Adams statsAdams finished the 2025 season playing in 17 games (four starts) for the Raiders, tallying 45 tackles and one sack in 448 total snaps.This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jamal Adams set for Year 10 in NFL with the Vikings

Detroit Tigers manager AJ Hinch offered a rather timely reminder before the game. The season does not end on Aug. 3.Were going to wake up the day after the (trade) deadline with a large portion of our season yet to be played, he said. Weve got to be good at understanding where we are today, where we could be depending on the next two series and then afterward. Regardless, we have a good chance to win because we have good players.More: Squirrel steals show at Tigers-Orioles' game: 'I have freedom on my mind'There will still be 50 games on the schedule after the deadline, nearly a third of the season. Important perspective, especially after the Tigers lost their third straight game, 8-5, to a Baltimore Orioles team that they are trying to chase down in the Wild Card race.The Tigers fall back to seven games under .500 (50-57), 4.5 games out of the Wild Card and 6.5 back in the Central Division at game's end. The game turned into an odd kind of shootout, with the Tigers answering Orioles home runs with sacrifice flies, akin to bringing knives to a gunfight. The Orioles swatted three home runs Leodys Taveras, Coby Mayo and Tyler ONeil. The Tigers stayed close with sacrifice flies by Hao-Yu Lee, who also extended his hitting streak to 12 games, Matt Vierling and Spencer Torkelson.Try as they might, the Tigers never could climb out of the four-run hole dug by starter Keider Montero, who endured a rare off night.Since allowing four runs on June 6, he had posted a 5-1 record with one save and a 1.80 ERA in his 10 outings before Monday.He gets a little grace for this little hiccup.His stuff seemed flat early in the game and the Orioles banged out nine hits and scored six runs against him in 4.1 innings. Two of the runs were unearned because of an error by third baseman Colt Keith that set up a two-run second inning.He settled in briefly, setting down six straight hitters between the end of the third and into the fifth.The Tigers had just made it a one-run game when Taveras crushed an elevated, 3-1 fastball, sending it 416 feet over the wall in right field.After Jackson Holliday produced his third hit of the game, Montero was replaced by right-hander Brenan Hanifee.Mayo, who was hitting .156 off right-handed fastballs, muscled an elevated sinker over the bullpens in left-center, restoring a four-run lead for the Orioles.Monteros velocity was down a tick on all his pitches. His spin rates were also well below his norm. The result was one strikeout, just six whiffs on 35 swings and an average exit velocity of 90.6 mph on 21 balls put in play.The Tigers cut the lead to 7-5 in the fifth. After Dillon Dingler (single) and Keith (double) set the table against starter Kyle Bradish, Torkelson hit a sacrifice fly and Zach McKinstry, who tripled and scored in the second inning, ripped an RBI single.Cowsers pinch-hit homer off lefty Tyler Holton leading off the sixth made it a three-run game.The Tigers didnt score against the Orioles bullpen. Yennier Cano, Grant Wolfram (from Davenport University in Grand Rapids), Andrew Kittredge and Rico Garcia, collected the last 13 outs.This story will be updated.Chris.McCosky@detroitnews.com@cmccoskyThis article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Tigers drop opener against Orioles, losing streak at three games

Mar 10, 2026; Indian Wells, CA, USA; Naomi Osaka (JPN) during her fourth round match against Aryna Sabalenka (BEL) in the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn ImagesFollowing her run to the Wimbledon quarterfinals, Naomi Osaka enjoyed a brief break, during which she spent quality time with her three-year-old daughter, Shai. Now back in action at the Mubadala DC Open to kick off her North American hardcourt swing, the former world No. 1 has revealed why she doesnt have professional tennis aspirations for her daughter.Why Naomi Osaka Wont Push Daughter Shai Into Professional TennisOsaka welcomed her daughter, Shai, in July 2023 with her then-boyfriend, rapper Cordae. Shai has been immersed in the world of tennis since a young age, recently accompanying the four-time Grand Slam champion to important tournaments, including Wimbledon and the Madrid Open.Despite her daughters exposure to the sport, Osaka has made it clear that she has no intention of pushing her daughter to pursue tennis professionally. During her pre-tournament press conference at the Mubadala DC Open, Osaka revealed that Shais experience with tennis has so far been limited to swinging a mini racket around.Well, she knows I play tennis. I dont tell her its, like, a professional job or anything, but she knows thats what I do for work. She has, like, a mini Yonex tennis racquet that she swings around, but shes actually never gone on the court and played, Osaka said.The former world No. 1 emphasized that she would never pressure Shai into becoming a professional tennis player, as she wants her daughter to have the freedom to develop her own passions.I dont think Id encourage it other than for her to get exercise because I feel like theres so many things that shes good at and so many things that she wants to explore. So, yeah, Ill see what happens in the future, she added.Osaka also reflected on how motherhood has changed her perspective, disclosing that she places more importance on being a role model since giving birth to Shai and highlighting how meaningful it is to have young fans looking up to her.I think ever since I had my daughter, it means a lot to see young girls and boys looking up to me. I think I take the responsibility really seriously now, she said. Obviously role models are really important, and for me, I had a lot of them growing up. Its because of them that Im able to be here now.Yeah, its really cool to see them having fun, to see them wanting to do the same things that I do. I hope that, you know, the next generation is able to come really quickly and is able to have a lot of fun on tour, she added.MORE: Naomi Osaka Treats Daughter Shai to Memorable Walt Disney World Adventure Ahead of DC OpenOn the tennis front, No. 3 seed Naomi Osaka will face either Ashlyn Krueger or Katie Boulter in her opening match at the DC Open, following a first-round bye. If she advances, the Japanese star is set to meet the winner of the match between Emma Navarro and Elisabetta Cocciaretto in the quarterfinals.

DETROIT (AP) Jackson Holliday had four hits and the Baltimore Orioles hit three home runs in an 8-5 win against the Detroit Tigers on Monday night.The Orioles had gone nine straight games without a multi-homer game. But, against the Tigers, Baltimore went deep twice in the fifth and once in the sixth and scored in five of the first six innings.Detroit lost its third straight game, falling to 50-57 and facing tough decisions heading into the Aug. 3 trade deadline.Grant Wolfram (3-2) picked up the win in relief and Rico Garcia pitched the ninth for his fifth save.Baltimore took a 1-0 lead in the first when Pete Alonso scored on a Taylor Ward groundout, then added two more in the second.Holliday led off with a double and took third when third baseman Colt Keith misplayed Coby Mayo's grounder. Jeremiah Jackson's groundout scored Holliday, and Dylan Beavers added a two-out RBI single.Detroit got a run back in its half of the second. Leody Tavares missed a sliding catch on a sinking line drive, and Zach McKinstry turned it into a triple. Hao-Yu Lee drove a ball to the 412-foot mark in centerfield for a sacrifice fly.Baltimore made it 4-1 in the third on Mayo's RBI single, but missed a chance to add on when Chadwick Tromp grounded into an inning-ending double play with the bases loaded.Detroit took advantage in the fourth, loading the bases with no one out on two hits and a walk. Lee made it 4-2 with an infield single, extending his hitting streak to 12 games, and Matt Vierling's sacrifice fly made it a one-run game.Keider Montero (7-6) retired the first batter of the fifth, but Tavares homered and Holliday singled. Brenan Hanifee came in to pitch and was greeted by Mayo, who hit a two-run homer to make it 7-3.The Tigers scored twice in the bottom of the inning, ending Bradish's night. Yennier Cano got out of the inning and Tyler O'Neill led off the sixth with a pinch-hit homer.Taylor Ward extended his on-base streak to 20 games with a pair of walks.Up nextThe teams continue their three-game series on Tuesday with Detroit RHP Troy Melton (5-1, 1.95 ERA) facing RHP Dean Kremer (1-3, 5.06). ___AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

What was a bit of a frustrating NFL rookie season for former Ohio State receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba seems so long ago. Smith-Njigba had a breakout season with the Seahawks, racking up over 1,000 yards receiving during his sophomore campaign, then followed that up by winning the NFL's Offensive Player of the Year last season by catching 199 passes for 1,793 yards (15.1 avg.) and ten touchdowns.And now, to the victors go the spoils because Smith-Ngiba has officially received a 99 rating in Madden NFL 27. He joins five other NFL players in receiving the rating. Reigning NFL MVP Matthew Stafford (Los Angeles Rams), reigning Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett (Los Angeles Rams), quarterback Josh Allen (Buffalo Bills), receiver JaMarr Chase (Cincinnati Bengals) and tight end Trey McBride (Arizona Cardinals) are also among the games highest-rated players.Smith-Njigba's exploits last season led to arecord-setting four-year, $168.6 million contract extensionthat made him the NFLs highest-paid wide receiver. The contract terms carry an average annual value of $42.15 million and include $120 million in guaranteed money. Both are records for a wide receiver.Your #Madden27 99 Club is officially here.Check out the full Ratings Hub, updating all week https://t.co/MIzUHCva4Ppic.twitter.com/tgEtNQJouV Madden NFL 27 (@EAMaddenNFL) July 27, 2026Smith-Njigba is the second Buckeye to garner a 99 rating for an EA Sports game. Earlier this month, it was announced that Jeremiah Smith would be the only player in College Football 27 with a 99 rating.Contact/Follow us@BuckeyesWireon X (formerly Twitter) and like our page onFacebookto follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes and opinion. FollowPhil Harrison on X.This article originally appeared on Buckeyes Wire: Former Ohio State WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba joins elite NFL Madden club

Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham (8) points to Phoenix Mercury forward-guard DeWanna Bonner (24) after an argument broke out Monday, June 22, 2026, during the game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The Indiana Fever defeated the Phoenix Mercury, 86-77.Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham has never been shy about offering her opinion. That was proven true last week when Cunningham was the center of an ESPN feature, and she discussed what she felt was necessary to protect womens sports.I got a lot of negative feedback about me hating trans. And Im like, I never once said that, she told the Worldwide Leader I think that I am here to extend love. But I also think with that love is truth, being honest. And I want to protect young girls in a locker room, or young girls in sport who shouldnt have to go against biological men.After being asked to address her comments, Cunningham doubled down, saying, I said what I said.Now there are consequences.In response to Cunninghams comments, some community members in Seattle are planning a With Love is Truth rally before Tuesdays Fever-Storm game.The announcement reads:Women Are Real, Known Heretic, and Brandi Kruse are organizing a celebratory pre-game fan rally with local female athletes outside Climate Pledge Arena on Tuesday, July 28, before the Indiana Fever take on the Seattle Storm. The rally will show public support for Fever guard Sophie Cunningham, who has faced a wave of criticism since a July 22 ESPN profile in which she expressed support for female-only sports and locker rooms. Cunningham describes her position as one of honesty and care, saying her concern is for young girls who should not have to compete against males. With love is truth, she said, and we agree.Will the WNBA step in?Many fans on social media were outraged that Cunninghams comments have led to a situation that will undoubtedly make an already vulnerable community feel even less safe. There were multiple calls for the league or Fever to do something about the planned rally.The Fever org and WNBA should be ashamed of themselves if they do nothing to stop this, one fan posted.When is the league gonna address the harm sophie is inciting?? someone else wrote.I know at this point it really shouldnt be, but this is absolutely blowing my mind. if the league or teams and players involved dont say anything about this, it will be an extraordinarily irresponsible misstep, imo, another fan added.WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert said over the WNBAs All-Star Weekend that racism, misogyny, homophobia, and harassment have no place in the league. Now is a chance for her to back up her words with action and denounce the rally.The post WNBA facing calls to cancel rally Sophie Cunningham incited with anti-trans comments appeared first on The Comeback: Todays Top Sports Stories & Reactions.

The Detroit Tigers did themselves no favors in the first of three games against the team directly in front of them in the American League wild-card chase.The Baltimore Orioles built an early lead off Tigers starter Keider Montero, then emphatically answered Detroit's counterpunch with two fifth-inning home runs in the Tigers' 8-5 loss in the series opener on Monday, July 27.The Tigers scored two runs in the fourth and fifth innings to cut into Baltimore's multi-run lead, but the Orioles (52-55) answered with home runs from Coby Mayo, Leody Taveras and Tyler O'Neill to keep Detroit at an arm's length.Montero (7-6, 3.34 ERA) gave up a season-high six runs (four earned) on nine hits across 4 innings. Brenan Hanifee and Tyler Holton gave up two of the three home runs as the first two arms out of the bullpen.JEFF SEIDEL: Can Detroit Tigers afford to keep Tarik Skubal at MLB trade deadline?The Tigers tallied five runs on 11 hits, but could not keep up with the Orioles' offense.The Tigers (50-57) have now lost three straight to fall 6 games behind the White Sox in the AL Central standings with Chicago still playing. Detroit is four games behind the Cleveland Guardians, who were rained out Monday, for the final wild-card spot.On the mound: Orioles tag Keider MonteroMontero, who has been rock solid as a starter or reliever this year, had one of his toughest outings of the year. The six runs given up (four earned) were a season high.He ran into trouble in the first on hits from Pete Alonso and Gunnar Henderson. Alonso eventually scored on a fielder's choice.Jackson Holliday led off the second with a double to left, followed by a Colt Keith fielding error that allowed Mayo to reach base. Both Holliday and Mayo came around to score as unearned runs. Mayo drove in another run with a third-inning single.Montero had a quick fourth inning, but the success stopped there. He surrendered a 412-foot solo home run to Taveras in the fifth, and was pulled after a Holliday single in the next at-bat. Brenan Hanifee allowed the inherited runner to score by giving up a two-run home run to Mayo. O'Neill, a pinch hitter, hit his 400-foot home run off Holton to lead off the sixth inning.At the plate: Hao-Yu Lee stays hotRookie second baseman Hao-Yu Lee extended his hitting streak to 12 games the longest active streak in MLB with an RBI infield single in the fourth inning. Lee capitalized with the bases loaded by punching a soft ground ball to the perfect spot in the third-base hole. Riley Greene started the inning with a 110 mph double off the right field wall, followed by a Spencer Torkelson single and Zach McKinstry walk.The Tigers cut their deficit to 4-3 in the fourth, but Baltimore immediately answered with three more runs. The Tigers added two more runs in the fifth with a Torkelson sacrifice fly and McKinstry single. Again, the Orioles answered with the long ball in the sixth.McKinstry, who started in right field in place of the injured Kerry Carpenter, finished with a triple and single. He hit his third triple of the year in the second inning and eventually scored the team's first run on a Lee sacrifice fly.Squirrel steals the showThe loudest cheers and boos from the Comerica Park crowd of 21,913 came during the sixth and seventh innings. A black squirrel appeared on the center-field warning track and proceeded to prance around the park for two straight frames.The squirrel evaded approximately two dozen members of the Tigers ground crew in the middle of the seventh inning. Taveras tried to help by scooping the squirrel in his glove, but ended up launching it in the air like a rag doll. Eventually, the grounds crew scooped up the furry fella using towels and were promptly showered with loud boos from the crowd as they ushered him off the field.A squirrel and a dove watch the Orioles and Tigers pic.twitter.com/3aQu7YNhT2 MLB (@MLB) July 28, 2026The squirrel is breaking ankles out there https://t.co/VHSj8H0MbBpic.twitter.com/dkE6jld78m MLB (@MLB) July 28, 2026Next up: Game 2The Tigers and Orioles meet again on Tuesday (6 p.m., Detroit SportsNet). Troy Melton (5-1, 1.95 ERA) is slated to start for Detroit, against Baltimore right-hander Dean Kremer (1-3, 5.06 ERA).Contact Jared Ramsey at jramsey@freepress.com.This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Tigers blitzed by homer-heavy Orioles for 3rd straight loss

The Detroit Tigers did themselves no favors in the first of three games against the team directly in front of them in the American League wild-card chase.The Baltimore Orioles built an early lead off Tigers starter Keider Montero, then emphatically answered Detroit's counterpunch with two fifth-inning home runs in the Tigers' 8-5 loss in the series opener on Monday, July 27.The Tigers scored two runs in the fourth and fifth innings to cut into Baltimore's multi-run lead, but the Orioles (52-55) answered with home runs from Coby Mayo, Leody Taveras and Tyler O'Neill to keep Detroit at an arm's length.Montero (7-6, 3.34 ERA) gave up a season-high six runs (four earned) on nine hits across 4 innings. Brenan Hanifee and Tyler Holton gave up two of the three home runs as the first two arms out of the bullpen.JEFF SEIDEL: Can Detroit Tigers afford to keep Tarik Skubal at MLB trade deadline?The Tigers tallied five runs on 11 hits, but could not keep up with the Orioles' offense.The Tigers (50-57) have now lost three straight to fall 6 games behind the White Sox in the AL Central standings with Chicago still playing. Detroit is four games behind the Cleveland Guardians, who were rained out Monday, for the final wild-card spot.On the mound: Orioles tag Keider MonteroMontero, who has been rock solid as a starter or reliever this year, had one of his toughest outings of the year. The six runs given up (four earned) were a season high.He ran into trouble in the first on hits from Pete Alonso and Gunnar Henderson. Alonso eventually scored on a fielder's choice.Jackson Holliday led off the second with a double to left, followed by a Colt Keith fielding error that allowed Mayo to reach base. Both Holliday and Mayo came around to score as unearned runs. Mayo drove in another run with a third-inning single.Montero had a quick fourth inning, but the success stopped there. He surrendered a 412-foot solo home run to Taveras in the fifth, and was pulled after a Holliday single in the next at-bat. Brenan Hanifee allowed the inherited runner to score by giving up a two-run home run to Mayo. O'Neill, a pinch hitter, hit his 400-foot home run off Holton to lead off the sixth inning.At the plate: Hao-Yu Lee stays hotRookie second baseman Hao-Yu Lee extended his hitting streak to 12 games the longest active streak in MLB with an RBI infield single in the fourth inning. Lee capitalized with the bases loaded by punching a soft ground ball to the perfect spot in the third-base hole. Riley Greene started the inning with a 110 mph double off the right field wall, followed by a Spencer Torkelson single and Zach McKinstry walk.The Tigers cut their deficit to 4-3 in the fourth, but Baltimore immediately answered with three more runs. The Tigers added two more runs in the fifth with a Torkelson sacrifice fly and McKinstry single. Again, the Orioles answered with the long ball in the sixth.McKinstry, who started in right field in place of the injured Kerry Carpenter, finished with a triple and single. He hit his third triple of the year in the second inning and eventually scored the team's first run on a Lee sacrifice fly.Squirrel steals the showThe loudest cheers and boos from the Comerica Park crowd of 21,913 came during the sixth and seventh innings. A black squirrel appeared on the center-field warning track and proceeded to prance around the park for two straight frames.The squirrel evaded approximately two dozen members of the Tigers ground crew in the middle of the seventh inning. Taveras tried to help by scooping the squirrel in his glove, but ended up launching it in the air like a rag doll. Eventually, the grounds crew scooped up the furry fella using towels and were promptly showered with loud boos from the crowd as they ushered him off the field.A squirrel and a dove watch the Orioles and Tigers pic.twitter.com/3aQu7YNhT2 MLB (@MLB) July 28, 2026The squirrel is breaking ankles out there https://t.co/VHSj8H0MbBpic.twitter.com/dkE6jld78m MLB (@MLB) July 28, 2026Next up: Game 2The Tigers and Orioles meet again on Tuesday (6 p.m., Detroit SportsNet). Troy Melton (5-1, 1.95 ERA) is slated to start for Detroit, against Baltimore right-hander Dean Kremer (1-3, 5.06 ERA).Contact Jared Ramsey at jramsey@freepress.com.This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Tigers blitzed by homer-heavy Orioles for 3rd straight loss