Mystics' Shakira Austin is healthy at last and powering Washington's playoff push originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.The Washington Mystics faced low expectations entering 2026.Still in the early stages of a rebuild, the youthful Mystics hoped that fifth-year big Shakira Austin would shake off some injury woes as All-Stars Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen continued to grow. Another lottery pick in the loaded 2027 draft wouldn't necessarily have been frowned upon -- and after general manager Jamila Wideman was dismissed in April, questions about Washington's direction seemed legitimate.The Mystics have forcefully answered those questions.MORE:Washington Mystics make stunning leap to No. 2 in latest WNBA power rankingsWashington enters Wednesday night's game against the Dallas Wings with a 16-12 record. Buoyed by an elite defense, the Mystics have the eighth and final playoff spot, with an impressive five-game advantage over the Los Angeles Sparks in ninth.It is no coincidence then that ESPN considers Austin a prime candidate to win Most Improved Player honors at season's end."This is the season Austin has been waiting for after injuries limited her the past three years," wrote ESPN's Kareem Copeland. "Washington wasn't expected to be a playoff team in 2026, but Austin has been the steady veteran presence for the youngest team in the league."We've talked a lot about Shakira Austin's growth over the years, but the numbers tell the story best.Here's a look at the fifth-year forward's season-by-season scoring progression. pic.twitter.com/4itGG5GpeJ I talk hoops (@trendyhoopstars) August 4, 2026Austin's impact on the Mystics has been immense, on both ends of the floor. Finally healthy after injuries limited her to 105 games over her first four seasons, the former third overall pick is averaging 15.5 and 9.4 rebounds -- both career highs -- and she has missed just one game.Austin is the leader of the WNBA's second-ranked scoring defense and could even garner consideration for Defensive Player of the Year honors. In addition, she could well end the season as one of three players to average a double-double nightly.The Mystics appear on track to make the playoffs over teams with more experience -- like the Sparks, the Phoenix Mercury and the Chicago Sky. Washington already has equaled its win total from all of 2025, and that is in no small part thanks to Austin's emergence as one of the WNBA's best bigs.More WNBA news:Cleveland Sirens name, explained: What to know about meaning of newest WNBA team's mascot, colors, moreAces surge up new WNBA power ranking as A'ja Wilson continues to dominateCaitlin Clark fans furious over WNBA ranking that puts Paige Bueckers aheadKelsey Plum reveals emotional Mercury welcome after whirlwind trade: Gods grace on me

Two-time major winner Jon Rahm has won two LIV events this season [Getty Images]LIV Golf says it has secured an unnamed lead investor to keep the competition running in 2027 after the withdrawal of Saudi Arabian financial backing.The Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) said in April it would end its multibillion dollar backing of the brekaway tour at the end of the season, plunging the future of the series into doubt.Chief exeuctive Scott O'Neil said a signed agreement with a new investor is in place and has been approved by the LIV Golf board, with the transaction expected to be completed in September.No details of the amount of money that will be invested were announced. PIF has invested more than $5bn (3.71bn) since the league launched in 2022.O'Neil added LIV will make its players "majority equity holders" in the competition, calling it "a first for a major global sports league".The LIV press release said the proposed deal with the lead investor is for "2027 and beyond".Saudi Arabia to stop funding LIV Golf next seasonTours form new alliance in latest blow to LIV GolfThe competition will reduce to 10 events from next season, with five in the United States and five held around the world.There were 14 events planned for the 2026 season but in April, LIV postponed June's New Orleans competition amid questions over its future and has not announced a rescheduled date.O'Neil said LIV is focused on "delivering a great week for fans and players at Bedminster" in New York, starting on Sunday and "finishing the 2026 season strong" - but made no explicit mention of the final two events scheduled this season, in Indianapolis from 23 August and the concluding team championship in Michigan from 30 August.Major winners including Bryson DeChambeau, Dustin Johnson, Jon Rahm, Cameron Smith, Martin Kaymer and Sergio Garcia remain part of the LIV roster after having left the PGA Tour.American major champions Brooks Koepka and Patrick Reed rejoined the PGA Tour after it introduced a returning member programme.In July, the PGA Tour and DP World Tour struck an alliance with the Asian Tour in another blow to LIV Golf.O'Neil added: "We're also seeing strong interest from more than a dozen additional parties to potentially serve as minority investors, creating a multi-partner model built for long-term stability and growth."LIV was founded in 2021 and launched the following year with 54-hole events and took its name from the Roman numeral for 54.However, it moved to the traditional 72-hole format for golf tournaments from this season.Ryder Cup stars join Irish Open field

BEREA Jerry Jeudy has a 4-year-old daughter. The Browns wide receiver also plays on a team with a quarterback who wears the jersey No. 4 who's involved in a high-profile competition.So when Jeudy flashed four fingers up during a TikTok livestream just days before training camp started on July 26, it started a social media viral storm. Of course, what the four fingers represented all depends on, according to the Browns wide receiver, which version of the video you watch.Many of those on social media assumed he was siding with Deshaun Watson, considering there's a question that appears before he shows the four fingers but after an apparent cut in the video asking who should be the starting quarterback for the Browns. Watson and Shedeur Sanders have been involved in that competition since the offseason.Subscribe to Browns Insider newsletter"So the truth is, if you could watch the video, you could see it was cut," Jeudy said prior to practice on Day 7 of Browns training camp. "Then whoever did it scrolled up to make it seem like I was answering that question, which I wasn't. There's a thousand questions popping up rolling all at once. I seen some guys saying I was throwing up a 4PF. I wasn't. Some guy was saying it because my four college jersey (at Alabama)."But before the video cut, it was me and my daughter and I showed a video. I showed my daughter and somebody was asking how old she is and I threw out the four because she's four years old. But everybody going to make it to seem like I should have been thinking and saying it instead of throwing up the four, knowing everybody going to make it seem bigger than what it is. But it's just part of the game."Jeudy took to social media in the moment to try and defend himself. He responded directly on X to the ESPN Cleveland post which showed the clipped video and said, "Yall cut the clip perfectly for that narrative."The seventh-year wide receiver later posted a longer criticism on X. "Among Jeudy responses in a series of posts on X, Yall just be lying so much for what??"Jeudy expanded on that response when asked about it Aug. 6. He pointed out the number of quarterback competitions he's been involved with in his career as a reason why he wouldn't end up dragged into the mud on social media."The internet, they do what they do," Jeudy said. "Flip a story and make it to something that it ain't. So I've been in the league for seven years, at least five or six of the years, it all been a quarterback competition within those years. I think I'm mature enough and wise enough to not answer questions like that. For everyone to believe that I would answer something like that on social media is kind of wild, but you got to understand this where we in and understand how everybody viewing the quarterback competition in this room."So every little thing is going to try to turn it into that. Which I get it, I understand. But like I said, I spoke on it. I said what I truly felt about the situation and I leave it off from there. If anybody want to believe, that's what they want to believe."Buy Cleveland Browns ticketsChris Easterling can be reached at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com. Read more about the Browns at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/browns. Follow him on X at @ceasterlingABJ. Sign up for Browns Insider newsletter athttps://profile.beaconjournal.com/newsletters/browns-insider/This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: How Jerry Jeudy explained the 4 fingers on viral social media video

Patriots Add Intriguing Wide Receiver to Drake Mayes Supporting Cast originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.The New England Patriots are giving another wide receiver an opportunity to earn a roster spot before the 2026 NFL season begins. New England claimed Tejhaun Palmer off waivers from the Arizona Cardinals on Tuesday, adding a 6-foot-1, 210-pound target to its training camp competition. The Patriots released rookie tight end Jeremiah Franklin in the corresponding transaction.Patriots claim WR Tejhaun Palmer off waivers from Arizona, the team announced on X. Release rookie TE Jeremiah Franklin.The move is not as significant as New Englands additions of A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs, but Palmer brings an intriguing combination of size and big-play ability. With roster decisions approaching, the former sixth-round pick will have a short window to show Mike Vrabel and his coaching staff that he belongs.Tejhaun Palmer Gets Fresh Opportunity with PatriotsThe Cardinals selected Palmer with the No. 191 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft after he completed his college career at UAB. Palmer began at Snow College before transferring to UAB, where he gradually emerged as a productive downfield threat. He recorded 47 receptions for 858 yards and seven touchdowns during his final college season, averaging an impressive 18.3 yards per catch.Patriots claim WR Tejhaun Palmer off Waivers from Arizona; Release rookie TE Jeremiah Franklin: https://t.co/VGFq2B2pWspic.twitter.com/GipIUH8RHn New England Patriots (@Patriots) August 4, 2026His production demonstrated the ability to create explosive plays, but that potential has not yet translated into regular-season NFL statistics. Palmer appeared in Arizonas 37-20 loss to the Los Angeles Rams in January but did not record a target. vNow 26 years old, Palmer arrives in New England with an opportunity to restart his career. He will have to make an immediate impression in practice and preseason games because the Patriots already have significant competition at wide receiver.Palmer joins a group that includes Brown, Doubs, Kayshon Boutte, DeMario Douglas, Mack Hollins, Kyle Williams and Efton Chism III. Several of those roster spots appear secure, leaving Palmer to compete for a depth role and potential special teams responsibilities.MORE:Patriots Rookie Gabe Jacas Makes Determined Promise to Fans: 'You're Going To Get The Best Out Of Me'Drake Maye Has a Deeper Collection of WeaponsNew Englands approach to building around Drake Maye has changed dramatically following the quarterbacks breakout second season. Maye helped lead the Patriots to a 14-3 record, an AFC East championship and their first Super Bowl appearance since Tom Bradys departure. After losing to the Seattle Seahawks in the championship game, New England spent the offseason adding more offensive talent.The Patriots signed Doubs in free agency before making their biggest move on June 1, acquiring Brown in exchange for a 2028 first-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round selection. Brown gives Maye a proven No. 1 receiver, while Doubs provides another established option capable of contributing immediately.Palmer is considerably less proven, but training camp additions are frequently about finding players with at least one trait worth developing. His college average of 18.3 yards per reception suggests he has the speed and ball-tracking ability to challenge defenses vertically. The challenge will be proving he can contribute in other areas. Palmer must quickly learn the Patriots offense, build chemistry with New Englands quarterbacks and demonstrate value on special teams.His first preseason opportunity could come Aug. 13, when the Patriots host the Indianapolis Colts at Gillette Stadium. New England will then open the regular season against Seattle on Wednesday, Sept. 9, in a rematch of Super Bowl LX.Palmer is unlikely to alter the top of the Patriots depth chart, but his arrival gives Maye one more potential target and adds another name to watch as New Englands roster competition enters its decisive stage.More PatriotsLatest PatriotsnewsTom Brady's Patriots legacy: How legendary QB set new standardComplete history of Patriots championships

It's been a rough three days on the injury front for the Denver Broncos. After starting center Luke Wattenberg exited practice on Monday and star pass rusher Nik Bonitto limped off the field on Tuesday, new wide receiver Jaylen Waddle walked into the locker room during Wednesday's practice. Waddle walked into the locker room with his helmet, without any trainers, according to reporters on site. Waddle left the field during one-on-one drills and, as of the second team period of practice, has not returned. Broncos coach Sean Payton is set to speak to media members after practice ends. Social: FollowBroncos WireonFacebookandTwitter/X!Did you know:These 25 celebrities are Broncos fans.This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Broncos WR Jaylen Waddle exits training camp practice

Ethan Belchetz arrives on the red carpet before the NHL hockey draft, Friday, June 26, 2026, in Buffalo, N.Y. | Adrian Kraus When Ethan Belchetz fell outside the top 15 at the NHL draft, Utah Mammoth GM Bill Armstrong knew he had to grab him.Perhaps it was cold feet, or maybe the Mammoth had intel that another team was about to nab Belchetz. Either way, Armstrong and his staff concluded it was in their best interest to move up from pick No. 19 to 17.The Los Angeles Kings, who traded pick No. 17 to the Mammoth, posted a video of the trade call on social media Tuesday.Kenny? answered Armstrong when he picked up Kings GM Ken Hollands call.You want to do the deal? Holland responded (they had discussed a portion of it over text or email beforehand).Yeah, lets do it.You give us pick 83 and we flip 17 and 19, Holland said.Were good, Armstrong confirmed.Moments later, the giant red trade alert flashed on the screen at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, accompanied by the rather jarring sound of a goal horn.The Los Angeles Kings trade pick No. 17 in this years draft to the Utah Mammoth in exchange for picks 19 and 83, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman announced at the podium in Buffalo.The video goes on to show Holland and his staff landing on their decision for pick No. 19, Swedish winger Elton Hermansson.Your All-Access Pass to the Behind the Scenes of the 2026 NHL Draft Watch the latest episode of Black & White now https://t.co/X4o7EpiKvv@GetSpectrumpic.twitter.com/PiMIYrzw8S LA Kings (@LAKings) August 4, 2026The Kings went on to trade pick No. 83 to the Minnesota Wild for 89 and 153, which they used to select Yegor Rybkin and Giorgos Pantelas.Holland, who was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2020, is a friend of many in the (Mammoth) organization. When he was between jobs in the fall of 2024, the then-Utah Hockey Club invited him to their training camp to check things out.Eight months later, the Kings underwent a GM change, hiring Holland to replace Rob Blake.Who is Ethan Belchetz and why did the Mammoth want him so badly?At 6-foot-5 and having scored more than a point per game in the Ontario Hockey League last season, Belchetz fits Armstrongs drafting MO perfectly.I just wanted to get a player that was kind of my size, so when we did the interview process, I looked thin and skinnier, Armstrong said with a laugh as he sat next to Belchetz for a press conference two days after drafting him.The fact that more than half of his points were goals shows that he can do the hardest thing in hockey, and size is the one thing that even the best coaches cant teach.Belchetzs stature and OHL production are a bit better than Mammoth associate captain Lawson Crouse had in the same league when he was 18. Its reasonable to wonder if he becomes an effective NHL power forward like The Sheriff.Hes committed to Michigan State for next season a program thats loaded with 17 NHL-drafted players, including 2024 fourth-overall pick Cayden Lindstrom and 2026 seventh-overall pick Chase Reid.Thats the way our game is trending, with the big man around the net, Armstrong said. Weve got some speed and skill. Its nice to have that true power forward thats coming into the game that can take that next step to help us win a championship at some point. Ethan Belchetz participates in the Utah Mammoth 2026 Development Camp at the Utah Mammoth Ice Center in Sandy on Tuesday, June 30, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News

Businesses today need more than a visually appealing mobile application. They need digital solutions that solve customer problems, improve operations, increase engagement, and support long-term growth. Whether you are launching a startup, improving an existing service, or transforming business processes, choosing the right mobile app development company in UAE can make a major difference....

The Surface Disinfectant Market is expected to witness robust growth as healthcare facilities, laboratories, pharmaceutical manufacturers, and commercial establishments continue strengthening infection prevention and environmental hygiene protocols. According to Future Market Insights (FMI), the market is projected to grow from USD 9.9 billion in 2026 to USD 20.0 billion by 2036, registering a...