Candace Parker and Elena Delle Donne were inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2026. The ceremony also honored other players, coaches, and referees, including the 1996 U.S. Olympic women’s basketball team and NBA figures like Doc Rivers and Amar’e Stoudemire.
Key Facts
Candace Parker won three WNBA titles, two MVP awards, two college championships, and two Olympic gold medals.
Parker referred to her basketball career as a “love story” in her Hall of Fame speech.
Elena Delle Donne won MVP awards in 2015 and 2019 and led the Washington Mystics to their only WNBA championship.
Delle Donne set a league record by shooting over 50% from the field, 40% from three-point range, and 90% from free throws.
The 2026 Hall of Fame class also included the 1996 U.S. Olympic women’s basketball team, Chamique Holdsclaw, Amar’e Stoudemire, Joey Crawford, Doc Rivers, Mike D’Antoni, and Mark Few.
Doc Rivers has the sixth most regular-season wins in NBA history with 1,194.
Elena Delle Donne mentioned her sister Lizzie, who is blind and deaf, as a major source of strength during her career.
The ceremony took place in Springfield, Massachusetts, on August 15, 2026.
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Ariana Grande is currently touring the UK as part of her Eternal Sunshine tour, her first UK tour since 2019. The show features her powerful singing and a narrative about dealing with personal loss and challenges, and she plans to take a break from public life after the tour ends.
Key Facts
Ariana Grande's Eternal Sunshine tour kicked off in California two months ago.
This is her first UK tour since 2019, delayed by Covid and her role in the movie Wicked.
The tour show lasts about two hours and focuses on Grande’s strong singing voice.
The tour is named after the movie Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, reflecting themes of memory and healing.
Grande has faced personal tragedies including the death of her boyfriend Mac Miller and the Manchester bombing at her concert in 2017.
She plans to take a long break from public life after the final London shows next month.
Fans at the London O2 arena enjoy the energetic show despite the hot weather.
Grande’s emotional performance includes reflecting on media portrayal and online criticism.
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Ty Simpson, a rookie quarterback for the Los Angeles Rams, played impressively in his first preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs. He completed 21 of 25 passes for 190 yards and two touchdowns, helping the Rams win 20-12.
Key Facts
Ty Simpson entered the game in the second quarter, replacing Stetson Bennett IV.
He completed 21 out of 25 passes with zero interceptions.
Simpson threw two touchdown passes to rookie running back Dean Connors in the fourth quarter.
His passer rating for the game was 125, a strong performance for a quarterback.
Simpson was drafted 13th overall in the April NFL Draft by the Rams.
The Rams' starting quarterback is Matthew Stafford, the reigning Most Valuable Player (MVP).
The Rams won the preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs with a score of 20-12.
Simpson’s performance suggests he could be the Rams’ quarterback for the future.
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The Tennessee Titans won their preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers 19-13. However, two key players, rookie tight end Jaren Kanak and defensive end Jaylen Harrell, both suffered injuries that will keep them out for the entire season.
Key Facts
The Titans won their preseason opener with a score of 19-13.
Jaren Kanak tore his pectoral muscle, and Jaylen Harrell tore his ACL, causing season-ending injuries.
Kanak was a 7th-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft and switched from linebacker to tight end in college.
Harrell was a 7th-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and had improved his performance each year.
Harrell played college football at Michigan, earning honors and helping win a national championship.
The Titans will now depend more on other tight ends and defensive ends to fill the gaps left by these injuries.
Other tight ends on the team include Gunnar Helm, Daniel Bellinger, Kyle Granson, and David Martin-Robinson.
Defensive ends stepping up include John Franklin-Myers, Jermaine Johnson II, Keldric Faulk, and Jacob Martin.
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Michael Phelps attended the Pan Pacific Swimming Championships with two of his sons, Beckett and Maverick. Beckett, who is 8 years old, showed interest in swimming, and the family is looking into coaches for him in Phoenix.
Key Facts
Michael Phelps came to the Pan Pacific Championships with his sons Beckett (8) and Maverick (6).
Beckett is interested in swimming and received advice from Phelps’ longtime coach, Bob Bowman.
Beckett’s older brother Boomer (10) stayed home with their youngest brother Nico (2).
Bob Bowman is called "Grandpa Bob" by the family and helps guide the boys.
The family is finding swimming coaches in Phoenix, where they live.
Phelps said he won’t push Beckett into swimming but will support him if he wants to continue.
Phelps started swimming at age 7 and made his Olympic debut at 15.
Phelps related to Beckett’s strong emotions during swimming, noting similarities with his own experience.
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Joshua Baez, a rookie outfielder for the St. Louis Cardinals, made history in Major League Baseball (MLB) by hitting three home runs in his very first game. This is the first time any player has achieved three home runs during their MLB debut.
Key Facts
Joshua Baez plays for the St. Louis Cardinals.
He is a rookie outfielder in Major League Baseball.
Baez hit three home runs in his debut MLB game.
No other player has hit three home runs in their first MLB game before.
This achievement set a new record in MLB history.
The debut and record happened recently, on August 15, 2026.
Baez's performance gained significant attention in the sports world.
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Cincinnati Bengals rookie cornerback Ceyair Wright left the football team to act in a movie. Wright, who has acted in several projects before, chose to follow his passion for acting instead of continuing his football career with the Bengals.
Key Facts
Ceyair Wright is a rookie cornerback for the Cincinnati Bengals.
He left the team to take a lead role in a movie.
Wright has acted in projects like "American Skin," "Grown-Ish," and "Space Jam: A New Legacy."
In "Space Jam: A New Legacy," he played Bronny James, the son of LeBron James.
Wright played college football at USC and Nebraska between 2021 and 2025.
He was at the bottom of the Bengals’ depth chart and faced challenges making the main team roster.
The Bengals replaced him by signing free agent cornerback Matthew McDoom.
Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said Wright had two passions that came together, prompting his decision.
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The Boston Red Sox announced rehab assignments for three players returning from injuries. Trevor Story will start on Sunday with Triple-A Worcester, Roman Anthony on Tuesday with Double-A Portland, and Isiah Kiner-Falefa on Wednesday with Triple-A Worcester.
Key Facts
Trevor Story had surgery for a sports hernia on May 21 and missed three months.
Roman Anthony has not played since May 4 due to a partially torn tendon in his right ring finger.
Isiah Kiner-Falefa has been out since June 19 with a left forearm injury.
The players will start their rehab games with minor league teams to regain health and playing time.
Red Sox officials split the rehab assignments among different minor league levels to avoid crowding one team.
The rehab schedule could change if one player is ready to return to the major leagues.
Interim manager Chad Tracy described the rehab starts as a positive step for the team.
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The New York Giants lost 13-10 to the Minnesota Vikings in their preseason opener. Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart was taken to the medical tent twice after hits but returned to play and threw a touchdown. Dart and other quarterbacks, including backups Brandon Allen and Jameis Winston, each played during the game.
Key Facts
The Giants lost their preseason opener against the Vikings by a score of 13-10.
Starting quarterback Jaxson Dart was sacked twice and taken to the medical tent for evaluations after hits.
Dart completed 3 of 4 passes for 26 yards, including a 15-yard touchdown.
Backup quarterbacks Brandon Allen and Jameis Winston also played; Winston completed 8 of 9 passes for 89 yards, while Allen threw two interceptions.
Dart has a history of hard hits because of his running style and competitive play, including a concussion during the previous season.
The Giants’ next preseason game is on August 22 against the Miami Dolphins.
The regular season for the Giants begins on September 13 against the Dallas Cowboys.
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Taylor Barnard is Britain’s youngest Formula E driver and has set several records in the electric car racing series. He faces challenges due to the high costs of motorsport and wants to help talented drivers who struggle financially. Barnard will race in London this weekend as the season ends, with the championship still open.
Key Facts
Taylor Barnard started racing in Formula E in 2024 and is the youngest to start an E-Prix, and to gain a podium, pole position, and points.
He is 22 years old and aims to become the world champion in Formula E.
Motorsport is very expensive, and Barnard’s family had to remortgage their house to support his racing career.
Barnard believes the high costs exclude many talented young drivers from advancing in motorsport.
He has raced for teams McLaren and DS Penske in Formula E.
The 2025-2026 Formula E season will end with races in London at the Excel Centre.
Nine drivers, including Brit Jake Dennis, are competing for the championship title.
DS Automobiles, the company behind Barnard’s current team, plans to leave the sport after this season, leaving Barnard’s future uncertain.
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Scottie Scheffler scored 68 in the third round of the St. Jude Championship golf tournament in Memphis, giving him a two-shot lead over Sam Burns and Sungjae Im. Scheffler aims to win after several near misses this year, while Burns and Im also compete for top spots and advancement in the FedEx Cup playoffs.
Key Facts
Scottie Scheffler shot a 2-under 68 in the third round.
Scheffler leads by two strokes at 13-under 197 total.
Sam Burns and Sungjae Im both scored well and are tied for second at 11-under 199.
Scheffler and Burns will play together in the final round.
Tommy Fleetwood and Jake Knapp are five shots behind Scheffler.
Jordan Spieth’s score dropped him to 19th place, likely missing the FedEx Cup top 50 cutoff.
Only the top 50 players advance to the BMW Championship next week.
Being in the top 50 ensures entry into major $20 million golf events next year.
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Sam Kerr, a forward for Gotham FC, scored her 80th career goal in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), making her the first player to reach this milestone. Her goal helped Gotham beat the Kansas City Current 2-1, with Kerr’s goal coming in the 41st minute of the game.
Key Facts
Sam Kerr scored the winning goal for Gotham FC against the Kansas City Current.
Kerr’s goal was her 80th regular-season goal in the NWSL, a new league record.
She has scored 31 regular-season goals for Gotham FC, the most in the team’s history.
Kerr rejoined Gotham FC after playing six and a half years with Chelsea FC in England.
While at Chelsea, Kerr won five Women’s Super League titles and scored 116 goals.
She won multiple awards including the WSL Golden Boot twice and several Player of the Year honors.
Kerr played three seasons with Gotham FC’s earlier version, Sky Blue FC, between 2015 and 2017.
In 2017, she scored 17 goals in the NWSL season, earning the league’s Golden Boot and MVP awards.
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A new mural featuring basketball star LeBron James was painted in Chinatown, Philadelphia, by artist Chenlin Cai. The mural connects LeBron James, Philadelphia’s history, and Asian culture, aiming to attract more visitors and support the local community.
Key Facts
LeBron James recently signed with the Philadelphia 76ers basketball team.
Chenlin Cai created a mural in Chinatown showing LeBron James getting an assist from William Penn, a historical figure.
The mural is located at 938 Arch Street in Philadelphia.
Cai painted the mural by hand over three days.
The artwork is called "The Legendary Partner for the City of Brotherly Love."
Cai wants the mural to bring more visitors and business to Chinatown.
Cai moved from China to Philadelphia in 2014 and hopes the mural promotes Chinatown’s culture.
LeBron James is expected to debut with the 76ers in early October, with their first preseason game on October 5.
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Jeffrey and Andrew Kessler are a father and son team who have played important roles in shaping the NFL. Jeffrey is a top sports lawyer representing players, and Andrew is a football player agent who creates innovative contracts. Together, they have worked on notable deals and legal strategies that have influenced the league.
Key Facts
Jeffrey Kessler is a well-known sports attorney and a leader at the law firm Winston & Strawn.
Andrew Kessler is an NFL player agent at Athletes First, named the top football agency in 2025.
In 2024, Andrew helped finalize a record $220 million contract for Packers quarterback Jordan Love.
Andrew created a "poison pill" contract clause in 2006 for player Steve Hutchinson to help him sign with the Minnesota Vikings.
Jeffrey defended the "poison pill" contract in a legal challenge by the Seattle Seahawks and won.
Jeffrey has represented the NFL Players Association since 1989 and worked on major NFL legal cases.
The Kesslers blend family life and work, sometimes discussing contracts and sports issues during family moments.
Andrew helped recruit players like Von Miller to support legal challenges against NFL and NCAA policies.
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Joshua Báez of the St. Louis Cardinals hit a home run in each of his first three times at bat during his major league debut against the Chicago Cubs. This achievement is the first of its kind in modern major league baseball history and helped the Cardinals win 8-4.
Key Facts
Joshua Báez hit three home runs in his first three at-bats in his MLB debut on August 15, 2026.
He became the first player in modern major league history to hit home runs in each of his first three at-bats.
Báez was called up from the Triple-A Memphis team before the game.
The home runs included a 449-foot shot on the first pitch he saw and a total of five RBIs in the game.
Over 30 family members, including his mother, attended the game and celebrated with him despite rain.
Báez was leading all Triple-A hitters with 34 home runs before joining the Cardinals.
He is the 11th Cardinals player to homer in his first career at-bat and one of six in club history to homer on the first pitch.
The Cardinals won the game 8-4 against the Chicago Cubs.
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Kyler Murray played a short series in the Minnesota Vikings' preseason game against the Giants, completing two of three passes and helping the team score a field goal. Rookie running back Demond Claiborne also had significant playing time, while linebacker Jamal Adams left the game early due to an injury.
Key Facts
Kyler Murray played only one series in the Vikings' preseason game.
He completed 2 of 3 passes for 10 yards during that series.
The Vikings scored a field goal on Murray’s drive.
Murray did not run the ball during his time on the field.
Rookie running back Demond Claiborne had 12 carries and showed strong runs.
Claiborne failed twice to score from the one-yard line but showed good speed on earlier runs.
Linebacker and safety Jamal Adams left the game in the second quarter due to an injury.
Adams recorded one tackle for loss before leaving the game and was taken to the locker room on a cart.
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Odell Beckham Jr. played again at MetLife Stadium for the New York Giants after nearly eight years. He caught two passes for six yards and had other chances to make plays, showing promise for the team. Several Giants rookies also had notable moments during the preseason game.
Key Facts
Odell Beckham Jr. returned to play at MetLife Stadium with the New York Giants.
Beckham caught two passes for six yards in the game.
He created opportunities downfield but did not get the ball on some catches.
Giants’ general manager Joe Schoen and coach John Harbaugh are pleased with Beckham’s performance so far.
Rookie linebacker Arvell Reese made an early defensive tackle for a loss.
Third-round rookie receiver Malachi Fields caught a touchdown and had three catches for 34 yards.
First-round rookie offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa played quietly without noticeable mistakes.
The Giants have more preseason games to evaluate players before the regular season.
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The Carolina Panthers saw strong performances from several new players during their preseason game against the Buffalo Bills. Key rookies and new team members made noticeable impacts despite the Panthers losing 29-14.
Key Facts
Jaelan Phillips, a new defensive player, had a sack and pressured the quarterback early in the game.
Devin Lloyd, an inside linebacker, made a notable tackle for loss.
Backup quarterback Kenny Pickett completed 16 of 19 passes for 92 yards and a touchdown.
Rookie Monroe Freeling played right tackle and showed good protection skills in limited action.
Undrafted player Aaron Hall and returning linebacker Cam Gill impressed as pass rushers.
Kate Douglass set a new world record in the women’s 50m freestyle with a time of 23.49 seconds at the Pan Pacific Championships. This broke the previous record of 23.55 seconds held by Gretchen Walsh, creating a close competition between the two American swimmers.
Key Facts
Kate Douglass broke the 50m freestyle world record with a time of 23.49 seconds in the heats.
Gretchen Walsh had held the record at 23.55 seconds since June 28.
Before Walsh, Douglass herself held the record at 23.59 seconds from June 19.
Douglass also swam the second-fastest 100m freestyle ever, with 51.69 seconds.
Walsh swam 23.78 seconds in the 50m freestyle heats, the second-fastest time that morning.
Australian Meg Harris was third-fastest in the 50m freestyle heats at 24.22 seconds.
Douglass is also competing in the 200m breaststroke event and qualified second-fastest.
The Pan Pacific Championships feature top swimmers from non-European countries.
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The Los Angeles Dodgers will honor Reggie Smith by adding him to their Legends of Dodger Baseball on Saturday. Smith played for the Dodgers from 1976 to 1981 and helped the team win the 1981 World Series.
Key Facts
Reggie Smith will be the 10th inductee into the Dodgers' Legends of Dodger Baseball.
The induction ceremony will take place at Dodger Stadium before a game against the Milwaukee Brewers.
Smith played five and a half seasons with the Dodgers from 1976 to 1981.
He was traded to the Dodgers from the St. Louis Cardinals in exchange for three players.
Before joining the Dodgers, Smith was a four-time All-Star and won a Gold Glove with the Boston Red Sox.
Smith helped the Dodgers reach three World Series and win in 1981, their first title since 1965.
After retiring as a player in 1982, Smith worked as a coach in the Dodgers’ minor leagues and major league teams from 1994 to 1998.
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