Before the summer began, the San Antonio Spurs were expected to have a busy and impactful offseason, largely due to the availability of star guards on the trade market. Fans anticipated that the Spurs would make significant moves, but as September arrives, the focus has shifted to how the newly acquired players—Chris Paul, Harrison Barnes, and Stephon Castle—will integrate with the Spurs’ young core. Despite some speculation, it appears the Spurs could have pursued even more star power during the offseason.
According to Tim MacMahon on ESPN’s The Hoop Collective Podcast, the Spurs had the opportunity to acquire Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young but chose not to. Young, who had been a rumored target for the Spurs since last season’s trade deadline, was available for trade this summer. However, the Hawks struggled to find suitors due to Young’s diminished trade value, making it challenging for them to execute a deal.
Trae Young (NBA)
Trae Young, a 25-year-old All-Star, had a strong statistical season last year, averaging 25.7 points and 10.8 assists per game. Despite his offensive prowess, he faced issues with defense and turnovers, averaging 4.4 giveaways per game.
The Hawks, having underperformed and won the NBA Draft Lottery, selected Zaccharie Risacher as the top pick. With previous trades suggesting a potential rebuild, the Spurs seemed like a natural trade partner given their unprotected first-round picks for 2025 and 2027.
Despite the rumors, the Spurs decided against pursuing Young, possibly due to their valuation of the draft picks or confidence in their current roster. The Spurs opted instead to add veteran players and retain their future draft assets. Their decision indicates a belief in the potential of their young core and a strategy to build around it, rather than focusing on acquiring Young.
Even without Young, the Spurs have a promising lineup at the lead guard position. Chris Paul, though older, remains a basketball icon. Tre Jones showed improvement towards the end of the last season and is expected to excel in a bench role, while rookie Stephon Castle is anticipated to make a significant defensive impact. Although the Spurs didn’t make a high-profile superstar acquisition this offseason, their adjustments should still lead to noticeable improvements in the upcoming season.
Haeran Ryu holds the trophy after winning the FM Championship
Haeran Ryu bounced back from a rough third round to win the FM Championship on a rainy Sunday at the TPC Boston.
Entering Sunday four strokes behind Jin Young Ko after losing a six-stroke lead the previous day, Ryu finished with an 8-under 64 to tie Ko at 15-under 273. Ryu then won in a playoff, making a par on the first extra hole.
In the fading light of the playoff hole, Ryu hit her 120-yard third shot to 12 feet on the par-5 18th. Ko’s 111-yard approach shot went past the green. Ko chipped to about 30 feet and made a bogey, while Ryu lagged her birdie putt to a foot and tapped in for her second LPGA Tour victory.
“I was so nervous at the playoff, but maybe Jin Young Ko is same as me,” Ryu said. “I think just thank for God. I can’t believe it here now.”
Ryu shot a career-best 62 on Friday to take a six-stroke lead into the weekend but had a 78 on Saturday.
“My caddie and my other teammates said to me, `Just for today it’s bad, and tomorrow it all comes through. Just trust yourself,’” Ryu said.
Haeran Ryu hits from the 15th fairway in the final round
On Sunday, the 23-year-old birdied the first four holes and six of the first eight. She added birdies on Nos. 10, 12, and 15, dropped a stroke on the par-3 16th, and then parred the last two holes after a rain delay of a little over two hours.
Ko, the former world No. 1 who hasn’t won on the LPGA Tour since May 2023, missed an 8-foot birdie try on the 18th hole during regulation. She shot 68.
“I played really, really good this week,” Ko said. “Unfortunately, just the last shot wasn’t good and I lose. But I played really solid, and congrats to Hae Ran.”
Ko also was 4 under after her first four holes, making eagles on Nos. 2 and 4. The 15-time LPGA Tour winner was even par the rest of the way, closing with four straight pars.
Ryu earned $570,000 from the $3.8 million event. She won the NW Arkansas Championship last year as an LPGA Tour rookie and has five victories on the Korean tour.
The Golden State Warriors are actively seeking ways to enhance their roster for the upcoming 2024-25 NBA season. In their latest effort, the team has invited veteran forward Dāvis Bertāns to work out with them.
Sources indicate that while a formal training camp invite has not yet been extended to Bertāns, the Warriors are considering various free agents for potential inclusion in their camp. This move suggests they are exploring all options to strengthen their lineup.
NBA insider Marc Stein first reported this development, citing an Instagram story by Arturs Kalnitis, Bertāns’ agent and CEO of BSA Basketball. The story mentioned that Bertāns would be preparing for the new season with the Warriors, and Kalnitis wished him good luck in the Bay Area. This news has sparked interest in Bertāns’ potential role with the team.
Dāvis Bertāns (NBA)
Known as the “Latvian Laser” for his exceptional shooting skills, Bertāns, 31, played in 43 games during the 2023-24 season with the Oklahoma City Thunder and Charlotte Hornets. Throughout his career, he has maintained an impressive 39.6-percent shooting accuracy from beyond the arc. As he enters his ninth NBA season, Bertāns is eager to secure a spot on a roster, and the Warriors may be a promising opportunity given their need for additional scoring.
The Warriors are set to begin their training camp on October 1 in Hawaii, where they will also participate in a preseason game against the Los Angeles Clippers. This camp will be crucial for evaluating potential new players and finalizing the roster for the upcoming season.
The Chiefs have many players returning from their back-to-back championships, but one important spot on the offense will be filled by a player who doesn’t have any Super Bowl rings yet.
Second-round pick Kingsley Suamataia is expected to start at left tackle against the Ravens on Thursday night.
Some teams might hesitate to put a rookie in charge of protecting their star quarterback’s blind side, but Chiefs head coach Andy Reid is not worried about Suamataia blocking for Patrick Mahomes.
Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid watches the players in the training
“I’m sure there’ll be some ups and downs as he goes, like any young player has,” Reid said, via Jesse Newell of the Kansas City Star. “But he’s prepared himself, and it’s time to go play now.”
The Chiefs have had several left tackles during their successful run with Mahomes leading the offense. If Suamataia performs well, it could be a long time before the Chiefs need to find a new left tackle.
There’s a lot of change for Mekhi Becton as the 2024 season begins.
Becton is now playing a new position with a new team. He has moved to right guard after joining the Eagles as a free agent this offseason. Although he hasn’t been officially named the starter for Friday’s game against the Packers, he has been working with the first team.
Spending the summer with the Eagles has given him some new positive feelings after dealing with injuries during his four years with the Jets.
“Most proud of?” Becton said, via Dave Zangaro of NBCSportsPhiladelphia.com. “I feel like I’m most proud of me having fun again. I’m starting to have fun again.
Mekhi Becton (NFL)
I’m having a smile on my face every day. I feel like that’s what I’m most proud about. I dug myself out of that dark hole that I was in previous years. I feel like that’s what I’m most proud of.”
The Eagles are getting ready for their first game since center Jason Kelce retired, and his absence will significantly affect the offensive line. A healthy and effective Becton could help reduce any challenges as the Eagles aim to become the first NFL team to win a game in Brazil.
Thursday night’s game between the Chiefs and Ravens is a repeat of the AFC Championship Game from January, but there are some changes in the teams since their last meeting.
One of the biggest changes is in the Ravens’ running back position. Derrick Henry, who joined the Ravens as a free agent this offseason, will be going from watching the game to playing in it.
Before last year’s trade deadline, there was talk about Henry joining the Ravens. On Sunday, he mentioned that he had thought about it while watching the Chiefs beat the Ravens to go to the Super Bowl.
Derrick Henry (NFL)
Henry expressed his desire to be on the field and is excited to have the chance now.
“Hell yes . . . I was wishing I could suit up that day [when I was] watching that game,” Henry said, via the team’s website. “But yes, now it’s my turn, so [I have] to take advantage of it. It’s going to be a hell of a game.”
Henry has 672 yards and eight touchdowns in six career games against the Chiefs, and the Ravens are hoping his addition will help them get a better result than they did earlier this year.
Joe Tsai, owner of the Brooklyn Nets, has expressed interest in adding a Chinese player to the team, and he might soon see that wish come true. Recent reports indicate that the Nets are close to signing Yongxi “Jacky” Cui to one of their two available two-way contracts.
While the Nets have not confirmed or denied these reports, the potential addition of Cui, who is 21 and highly regarded as a top young talent in China, aligns with the team’s recent focus on incorporating younger players.
Cui, a 6-foot-8 shooting guard, had an impressive stint with Guangzhou in the Chinese Basketball Association, averaging 15.7 points and 5.8 rebounds per game last season. His shooting performance was notable, with a 46.1% field goal percentage and a 36.5% success rate from beyond the arc.
Earlier this summer, Cui had agreed to an Exhibit 10 deal with the Portland Trail Blazers but did not finalize the agreement, leading him to seek a two-way contract opportunity elsewhere.
Yongxi ‘Jacky’ Cui (NBA)
Prior to the draft, the Nets had worked out Cui but did not have any picks in June. After going undrafted, Cui played in the NBA Summer League for Portland, where he demonstrated his shooting capabilities. He notably excelled in the 3-point shooting drill at the G-League’s pre-draft workout camp, hitting 23 of 25 shots.
If Cui joins the Nets, he will become the first player from China on the team since Tsai purchased it from Mikhail Prokhorov. Although Jeremy Lin, a Taiwanese-American point guard, was on the roster when Tsai became a minority owner, Cui would be the first directly from mainland China. Cui’s agent is also the same as Lin’s, suggesting a continuing connection between the two players.
Cui’s basketball journey includes graduating from the NBA Global Academy in Australia, where he earned praise for his defensive skills. Chris Ebersole, head of international basketball development at the NBA, highlighted Cui’s strong defensive abilities and his willingness to take risks and learn from mistakes. His defensive skills, along with his hardworking nature, have been commended by those who have worked closely with him.
Tanner Mckee runs with the ball in the 2nd half of the game
Some Eagles players are not excited about starting the 2024 regular season in Brazil. Quarterback Tanner McKee is trying to reassure them that it won’t be as problematic as they fear.
“I think a lot of guys have questions about the safety and the culture,” McKee said Sunday, according to Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer. “It’s easy for people to be scared about things they don’t know.
Brazil is a different country that many haven’t visited, and they speak a different language with a different culture. It’s normal to be cautious and prepared.
We do that for any game we go to. I’m just telling the guys that I think everyone will be pleasantly surprised by how nice the people are and the culture there.
“I would say no matter where you go, a football team probably shouldn’t walk around a big city with cash in their hand or things like that.”
Players like safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson and cornerback Darius Slay have raised concerns about the NFL’s decision to send the Eagles to Brazil.
Philadelphia Eagles (NFL)
“Man, I do not want to go to Brazil,” Slay said on his podcast, according to Lane. “They already told us not to leave the hotel. . . . NFL, why do y’all want to send us somewhere where the crime rate is this high?”
Given what happened to 49ers receiver Ricky Pearsall on Saturday, it’s clear that many cities in the U.S. aren’t exactly ideal. Players who go anywhere other than (as NBA star LeBron James suggested after the Pearsall news) “home, work, and back home” are taking on some risk.
In Brazil, the NFL has taken on that risk for them. But if they stick to the hotel and stay with the team, they’ll be safe.
Just ask tackle Lane Johnson. “I’m just along for the ride,” he said, according to McLane. “It’s just part of the job. It is what it is.”
And that’s the reality. Philadelphia, San Francisco, or any other American city, and any country where the league decides to hold games.
For football players aiming to play at the highest level, there’s no other choice.
For Week 1, the only option for the Packers and Eagles is to play in Brazil.
Brayden Narveson kicks the ball in the 2nd half of the game
The Packers held a kicking competition this summer but decided to go with rookie Brayden Narveson instead of their other options.
Anders Carlson, a rookie last year, struggled, and veteran Greg Joseph did not convince the Packers he was the right choice. So, the Packers picked up Narveson from the Titans.
Narveson impressed during the preseason by making 6 out of 7 field goals, catching the Packers’ attention. He has been working hard to show head coach Matt LaFleur that he’s the best fit for the team’s goals this season.
On Sunday, LaFleur expressed his confidence in Narveson.
Brayden Narveson celebrates with the teammates
“Yeah, I’ve seen enough to be confident in him,” LaFleur said. “If that’s what you’re asking: Do I have confidence in him? Absolutely.”
Narveson will make his debut with the Packers against the Eagles in Brazil, where many will be watching to see if the Packers made the right choice at kicker.
Here’s what you need to know about defending champion Coco Gauff’s 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 loss to Emma Navarro in the U.S. Open fourth round: Gauff had more double-faults, 19, than winners, 14.
This loss adds to a string of early exits recently, including a third-round finish at the Paris Olympics and a 1-2 record in hard-court events leading up to New York.
Despite her struggles, Gauff, the No. 3 seed, tried to stay positive. She noted that many players would be thrilled with her summer performance, even if it didn’t match her past success.
“So many people want to be in the fourth round. So many people want to make the Olympics. So many people want to be flag bearer. It’s perspective,” Gauff said.
The 20-year-old from Florida managed to come back in the match briefly by winning four games in a row to take the second set. Navarro, the 13th seed, said she had a tough moment but managed to regain focus.
Coco Gauff reacts after losing the match
After her previous matches in New York, Gauff practiced her serve, but it didn’t improve much. She matched her career high for double-faults, also hitting 19 in a loss at the 2020 French Open. Gauff had three double-faults in four different games, with eleven coming in the final set.
Gauff blamed her issues on problems with her serve mechanics and mental challenges. She explained, “I go down on my left side a lot on my serve, and it’s something I’m aware of, but it’s tough in the moment to, I guess, try not to do it.”
Gauff mentioned that her issues might be more about emotions and mental strength. She said, “It’s sometimes more of an emotional, mental thing, because if I go out on the practice court right now, I would make, like, 30 serves in a row.
I’ve done it before. I think it’s also just kind of a mental hurdle that I have to get over when it comes. … But I definitely want to look at other things, because I don’t want to lose matches like this anymore.”
Gauff ended up with 60 unforced errors, including 29 on her forehand side.
Coco Gauff and Emma Navarro in the U.S. Open tennis championship
Navarro, who also beat Gauff in the fourth round at Wimbledon in July, played more consistently on Sunday, though she still made 35 unforced errors. Navarro said, “It was a little bit of a battle of will there for a bit. But proud of just my effort today. I was able to stick in there through some tough moments.”
This match follows a third-round loss by defending men’s champion Novak Djokovic on Friday, meaning no player will win back-to-back titles in New York for a while. The last woman to win two in a row was Serena Williams from 2012-14, and the last man was Roger Federer with five from 2004-08.
On Sunday night, Frances Tiafoe defeated No. 28 seed Alexei Popyrin, who had upset Djokovic, with a score of 6-4, 7-6 (3), 2-6, 6-3. Tiafoe, the No. 20 seed, made it to his third straight U.S. Open quarterfinal and will face No. 9 Grigor Dimitrov, who won against Andrey Rublev 6-3, 7-6 (3), 1-6, 3-6, 6-3. Serena Williams, a 23-time Grand Slam champion, was present and gave a thumbs-up at the end of the match.
Emma Navarro plays a return shot
Also advancing on Sunday was No. 12 Taylor Fritz, who defeated three-time Grand Slam finalist Casper Ruud with scores of 3-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-2. Fritz will face 2020 U.S. Open runner-up Alexander Zverev in the quarterfinals, after Zverev won against Brandon Nakashima 3-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-2.
Fritz said, “I’m at the point now where I’m still happy to make quarterfinals, but I wouldn’t be happy with it ending here. I definitely am at the point where I really want more than that.” He has not yet reached a Grand Slam semifinal.
Emma Navarro, who beat Gauff at Wimbledon, reached her first major quarterfinal with the win. She will play her second quarterfinal on Tuesday in New York against No. 26 Paula Badosa, who won 6-1, 6-2 against Wang Yafan.
The other women’s match on Tuesday will be between No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka — last year’s runner-up to Gauff, who won 6-2, 6-4 against Elise Mertens — and No. 7 Zheng Qinwen, who defeated No. 24 Donna Vekic 7-6 (2), 4-6, 6-2 in the latest finish to a women’s match in U.S. Open history, ending at 2:15 a.m. Monday.
Coco Gauff reacts after scoring a point
Navarro will get another chance to play at Arthur Ashe Stadium, where she had never played before Sunday. She felt surprisingly comfortable on the big stage.
Navarro said, “I’ve been out on big courts before, where I just felt totally overwhelmed and almost like it’s an out-of-body experience.
But I didn’t feel like that today. I felt comfortable from the time I stepped out onto the court, which I was a little bit surprised about. I kind of had prepared myself for the worst, just in terms of feeling overwhelmed and nervous.”
Frances Tiafoe, facing a possible loss in the second set with his opponent serving, found a silver lining. At least he thought he would get to change out of his sweaty shirt and sneakers.
However, he didn’t need to change his clothes. Instead, he turned the match around.
Tiafoe came back to win the second set and went on to reach the U.S. Open quarterfinals for the third consecutive year, defeating Alexei Popyrin 6-4, 7-6 (3), 2-6, 6-3 on Sunday night.
“I think the second set was a huge, huge win for me,” Tiafoe said. “You know, 5-3, 40-love, him serving, how good he serves, that was really, really big. To break there and then to win that set was huge.”
The No. 20 seed will try to match his best Grand Slam result when he plays No. 9 Grigor Dimitrov on Tuesday for a place in the semifinals.
Tiafoe lost to eventual champion Carlos Alcaraz in the semifinals in 2022, and was knocked out by Ben Shelton in the quarterfinals last year.
Alexei Popyrin serves in the game
Tiafoe is the first American man to reach three straight U.S. Open quarterfinals since Andy Roddick from 2006-08. Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi are the only other American men since 2000 to make the final eight in New York three years in a row.
This achievement comes after a tough first half of the season for Tiafoe, who found his form during the hard-court season leading up to the U.S. Open.
“Everything is happening when it’s meant to happen,” Tiafoe said. “I’m glad it’s happening now because this is the most important time for me.”
He turned the match around late in the second set when Popyrin was serving with a 5-3 lead and a chance to even the match. Tiafoe won the next five points to break and quickly took control of the tiebreaker, jumping to a 4-1 lead.
Popyrin, the No. 28 seed from Australia, had upset defending champion Novak Djokovic on Friday to reach the fourth round of a Grand Slam for the first time. He felt he might have advanced further if he had closed out the second set.
Zheng Qinwen defeated Donna Vekic in a rematch of their Olympic final to move on to the U.S. Open quarterfinals, winning 7-6 (2), 4-6, 6-2 early Monday morning.
The match ended at 2:15 a.m., making it the latest finish in women’s tournament history. It lasted 2 hours and 50 minutes, which was a tougher challenge than their encounter in Paris last month.
In that previous match, Zheng claimed China’s first singles gold in tennis with a 6-2, 6-3 win. While she wasn’t as dominant on the U.S. Open’s hard courts, which suit Vekic better than the clay at Roland Garros, Zheng remains a formidable opponent on hard surfaces.
She reached her first Grand Slam final this year at the Australian Open, where she lost to Aryna Sabalenka.
“I feel really proud of myself because it’s not easy changing surfaces from clay to hard, especially since I went back to China and didn’t have the same practice as other players,” Zheng said.
Donna Vekic reacts in the 4th round of the game
“So basically, I’m just trying to hold myself together and find a way to win the match even if I’m not at my best.”
She will face Sabalenka, the No. 2 seed, in her next match on Tuesday. Zheng mentioned she’ll be ready if she gets eight or nine hours of sleep after finally returning to the hotel.
“I really like playing against her and am looking forward to it,” Zheng said. “I know she’s one of the greatest players on hard courts, and I’ve been hoping for this moment.”
Vekic, who had her best Grand Slam result by reaching the Wimbledon semifinals, felt she missed a chance to advance further at Flushing Meadows. She often showed frustration during the match, taking long pauses, tugging at her hair, or resting her head in her hands.
