One of the hottest names in the NBA is on the move to a contender.

The Charlotte Hornets reportedly traded LaMelo Ball to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday, teaming the third overall pick of the 2020 NBA Draft with the first overall pick that year in Anthony Edwards.

Ball, the 2020-21 Rookie of the Year, has become one of the best guards in the league, averaging 20.8 points and 7.3 assists per game, although injuries have hampered him. He played in just 105 games from the start of the 2022-23 season through the 2024-25 campaign.

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Anthony Edwards of the Minnesota Timberwolves interacts with LaMelo Ball of the Charlotte Hornets during the third quarter at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Jan. 22, 2024. The Hornets defeated the Timberwolves 128-125. (David Berding/Getty Images)

The Hornets have not been able to break their playoff drought, which has been in place since the 2015-16 season, and opted to trade Ball and Josh Green to Minnesota for Naz Reid, an unprotected 2033 first-round pick, three first-round pick swaps and three second-round picks.

The T-Wolves have made the playoffs for five straight seasons, including appearances in the Western Conference Finals in 2024 and 2025, so it makes sense to bring in Ball to help out Edwards, who dropped a career-high 28.8 points per game this past season.

LaMelo Ball of the Charlotte Hornets passes the ball during a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Feb. 24, 2023. (David Sherman/NBAE/Getty Images)

KNICKS FAN’S TRASH CAN GRAB ENDS WITH FINES, FIRING AND WALK OF SHAME RETURN TRIP FOR JPMORGAN CHASE EXEC

And perhaps because of Ball’s durability concerns, Charlotte added to an already rich collection of draft assets that includes six first-round picks and eight second-rounders over the next three offseasons. They just selected Hannes Steinbach and Christian Anderson with the 14th and 18th selections earlier this week and took former Duke star Kon Knueppel with the fourth selection last year.

In 2023, Ball signed a five-year, $260 million contract extension and said he felt the team was on the path to success.

“I think it’s just a great position and I think we are all going the right way now,” he said at the time.

Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball dribbles the ball upcourt against the Houston Rockets during the first quarter at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, N.C., on Feb. 19, 2026. (Jim Dedmon/Imagn Images)

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That evidently was not the case, but on a personal note, Ball is now back on that path.

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England suffered a World Cup setback on Tuesday as Thomas Tuchel’s side were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw by Ghana, leaving them with work still to do as they bid to progress to the knockout stage as Group L winners.

Nico O’Reilly came closest to scoring with a late header that hit the bar, but after the promise of their opening 4-2 win over Croatia, this was a performance that will raise doubts about their chances of going all the way and winning the tournament.

They dominated possession and had 19 shots to their opponents’ two, yet rarely looked like scoring past Ghana‘s stand-in goalkeeper Benjamin Asare in a match watched by 63,983 fans at Gillette Stadium near Boston.

Both teams have four points with one game still to play in Group L, with progression to the next round all but assured but their final positions still in the balance.

Read moreWorld Cup 2026: Kane, Bellingham and Rashford fire England past Croatia

In damp, cool conditions, England delivered a stodgy performance that echoed some of their faltering displays during Euro 2024.

However, there are no dramatic consequences, as England take a step closer to the last 32. All they need to do now is safely negotiate their final group fixture against Panama at MetLife Stadium on Saturday, and they will be able to turn their attention to the knockout rounds.

England have still never lost to African opposition at the World Cup, and that record was rarely at risk of ending here.

Ghana nevertheless battled brilliantly, as the nation ranked 73rd in the world – 69 places behind England – put up a determined defensive display.

Partey plays, Kane quiet

The late decision by the Black Stars to appoint Carlos Queiroz as coach is looking increasingly justified, with this result following their opening 1-0 win over Panama. The 2010 quarter-finalists face Croatia next in Philadelphia.

Thomas Partey returned for Ghana after missing the Panama match in Toronto because Canadian authorities denied him a visa – the former Arsenal midfielder is facing trial on rape charges in the UK.

Asare of local side Hearts of Oak started in goal for the Ghanaians after coming on for the injured Lawrence Ati Zigi against Panama.

England’s inability to regularly test him will be a source of concern, as Harry Kane was kept quiet and failed to add to his 10 World Cup goals – he remains level with Gary Lineker as England’s all-time top scorer at the tournament.

Read moreWorld Cup 2026: Ghana’s Partey loses bid to overturn Canadian visa refusal over rape charges

Noni Madueke and Anthony Gordon were unable to make the difference on the wings and their substitutes could not, this time, have a decisive impact.

Jude Bellingham won his 50th cap as Marc Guehi and Djed Spence replaced John Stones and O’Reilly in defence.

A Declan Rice free-kick that sailed just over was about as close as England came in the opening half. In fact, it took almost an hour for Asare to make a notable save, but it was a comfortable one to deny Gordon.

Ghana may feel Jordan Pickford should have been punished for charging out of his box and crashing into Prince Adu without touching the ball – but instead the goalkeeper was awarded a free-kick.

There was also panic for England when substitute Adu ran through into the area but could not get a shot away.

Then the pressure was turned up a notch in the closing minutes, as Asare denied Bukayo Saka with a good stop low to his left before O’Reilly headed against the woodwork from close range and Kane blazed over.

(FRANCE 24 with AFP)

Good afternoon and welcome to the Manchester Evening News’ live blog coverage of the Carabao Cup first round draw.

Manchester City won’t start their defence of the competition until later this year, with Manchester United also not involved in this afternoon’s draw.

However, there’s plenty of interest from EFL clubs. Newly promoted Rochdale and York City will have to contest a preliminary round against Tranmere Rovers and Crawley Town respectively.

Stay with us throughout the afternoon for all the key information from the draw.

Wales manager Craig Bellamy’s proposed move to take charge at Championship side Burnley has fallen through.

The Clarets approached the Football Association of Wales with a view to appointing Bellamy as Scott Parker’s successor.

The 46-year-old had talks with the Lancashire club but the move now looks to have collapsed.

The breakdown is understood to not be related to compensation for the FAW, while negotiations for Bellamy’s backroom staff to join him at Turf Moor were thought to be a point of contention.

Former Wolves head coach Rob Edwards – who was a contender to replace Bellamy with Wales – is in contention for the job at Turf Moor.

He had been in the frame after leaving Molineux earlier this month and remains an option for the Clarets.

Bellamy was a coach under Vincent Kompany at Turf Moor between 2022 and 2024 and had a brief spell in caretaker charge.

BBC Sport revealed on 30 April that Bellamy was a leading contender to replace Parker after his sacking.

The former Manchester City, Liverpool and West Ham forward was appointed Wales boss in 2024.

Wales failed to reach the 2026 World Cup, losing to Bosnia and Herzegovina during a penalty shoot-out defeat in Cardiff.

Bellamy’s contract sees him through until 2028, including the European Championships being held across England, Scotland, Wales and Republic of Ireland.

Daniel Munoz fired ⁠Colombia into the ​World Cup Round of 32 on Tuesday, sealing a 1-0 win over DR Congo in Group ​K after goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi had threatened to turn the match into a night of frustration.

Read moreWorld Cup 2026: Group standings

Munoz struck the winner from the right side of the penalty area in the 76th minute, finally ​beating Mpasi ‌who had repeatedly denied Colombia with an inspired performance.

Colombia, who opened ⁠their World Cup campaign with a 3-1 win over Uzbekistan, commanded possession and created numerous chances.

James Rodriguez, making his 10th World Cup ‌appearance to equal the Colombian record jointly held by Freddy Rincon and ⁠Carlos Valderrama, forced Mpasi into action with a powerful strike in the 11th minute.

The goalkeeper stood firm, repelling efforts from Jhon Arias and winger Luis Diaz, who ​came close to breaking the deadlock in the 18th minute, controlling a ‌chipped pass inside the penalty area, turning smartly, and firing a shot goalwards, only for Mpasi to save with his foot.

The African side, buoyed by their opening 1-1 draw with Portugal, threatened sporadically ‌through Edo Kayembe, Cedric Bakambu and Yoane Wissa but lacked a clinical finish.

By halftime, Colombia had registered 15 shots, including six ​on target, with nine of their 10 outfield players attempting efforts.

In the stands, DR Congo had support from Michel Nkuka Mboladinga, the team’s famous “living statue” fan, who made his World ​Cup debut after missing the opener against Portugal because of Ebola quarantine requirements.

Colombia resumed on ​the front foot after the break, Diaz forcing another fine ​save from Mpasi in the 51st minute before Arias dragged the rebound wide.

Wissa almost snatched the lead for DR Congo in the ​73rd minute when his shot from Simon Banza’s assist was blocked, but Colombia struck shortly after through Munoz.

Diaz later thought he had doubled the advantage with a finish into the top corner, only for the effort to be ruled out for offside.

Read moreWorld Cup 2026: Portugal and record-breaking Ronaldo outshine Uzbekistan

Colombia moved to six points from two ⁠matches and guaranteed their progress to the knockout stage ahead of their final group game against Portugal, who beat ⁠Uzbekistan 5-0 earlier ​on Tuesday.

DR Congo remained on one point and will need a result against Uzbekistan to keep their qualification hopes alive. 

(FRANCE 24 with Reuters)

McDonald Jones Stadium will play host to Sunday’s
Round 17 NRL game between Newcastle Knights and
Wests Tigers. The game kicks off at 4:05 pm with Newcastle Knights heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Newcastle Knights vs.
Wests Tigers
game and give you our free tips and bets.

When: Sunday June 28, 2026 at 4:05 pm

Where: McDonald Jones Stadium

Bet 💰: Bet On This Match HERE

Newcastle Knights vs Wests Tigers Odds

Newcastle Knights vs Wests Tigers Preview

Newcastle will aim to continue its push towards the finals when it hosts the Wests Tigers on Sunday evening.

The Tigers receive a timely boost with Adam Doueihi returning to the side after injury. His experience and versatility have been sorely missed, particularly with injuries disrupting both edges of the defensive line in recent weeks.

Newcastle enters the match in encouraging form, built on a simple but effective formula. The Knights have defended strongly, managed games well and found consistency that was lacking earlier in the season.

Bradman Best and Fletcher Sharpe continue to provide strike power for the home side, while the Tigers will hope Doueihi can help unlock an attack that has struggled for points.

The Knights have won six of their past seven meetings with Wests and will be confident of extending that record at home.

South Africa head coach Hugo Broos has fired back at his critics after Bafana Bafana secured a place in the FIFA World Cup knockout stage for the first time in their history.

South Africa defeated South Korea 1-0 on Wednesday to finish second in Group A behind co-hosts Mexico, who won all three of their matches.

The African side, appearing at the World Cup for the fourth time, had been heavily criticised after losing 2-0 to Mexico in their opening game. However, they bounced back with a draw against the Czech Republic before sealing qualification with a vital win over South Korea in Monterrey.

Thapelo Maseko scored the only goal of the match in the second half to send South Africa through.

Speaking after the game, Broos said the victory was the perfect response to those who doubted his team.

“I’m very proud of the performance of my team and I think we gave an answer to all those big mouths of the last weeks that thought that we had to change something,” Broos said.

“We just did what we did. We just did what I wanted to do and this is the result.”

The 74-year-old Belgian, who has been in charge of South Africa since 2021, described the achievement as one of the most emotional moments of his coaching career.

“I said it already in the past that probably it will be one of the last games of my career and when you can end a career like I had in this way, I think every coach dreams of it,” he said.

Broos also praised the strong bond he shares with his players and revealed that he never lost faith in them despite the criticism.

“Between me as a coach and them as players is maybe something unique. I’m the coach, but I’m not only a coach,” he said.

“I think I’m a friend of theirs. So the relationship between the players and me is very good.”

South Africa will now face Canada in Los Angeles on Sunday, with a place in the World Cup quarter-finals at stake.

Broos is confident his players will be ready for the challenge.

“I just know that the players will be ready again and try to achieve the third round,” he said.

“It should be even more historic. Those players want to prove to everyone and show that they are a good team. We will see on Sunday if we can go further.”