Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell signals a play from the sideline during the third quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio, Dec. 16, 2023. O’Connell watches the field while directing Minnesota’s offense during the late-season interconference matchup as the Vikings manage the game plan from the sideline. Mandatory Credit: Kareem Elgazzar-The Enquirer-USA TODAY Sports.
VikingsTerritory is here to answer your questions, publishing them weekly in a single article. The timing is opportune, with training camp getting off the ground in approximately four days.
We have selected the primary questions from the email inbox, and our responses are provided below.
Vikings’ Summer Questions Stretch from Rookies to the Division Race
Jul 8, 2025; Frisco, TX, USA; Iowa State defensive lineman Domonique Orange answers questions from the media during 2025 Big 12 Football Media Days at The Star. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images
Question: If you had to guess one single rookie who will make the most impact for the Vikings in 2026, who would that be?
Answer:DT Domonique Orange.
The Vikings found Orange in Round 3 from Iowa State, and because nose tackles are often asked to “only stop the run,” they get up to NFL speed quicker than other rookies. We don’t believe Orange will be different.
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The Vikings didn’t have an official general manager during the draft, leading us to assume that defensive coordinator Brian Flores had more input than usual during the process. It’s unlikely that he was forced to pick Orange.
And because Levi Drake Rodriguez — who is decent, not great — is the only NT standing in Orange’s way, VikingsTerritory thinks Orange will see the field as early as September.
Caleb Banks and Jake Golday will get snaps as rookies, but pencil us in for fans falling in love with Orange and his run-stopping ways.
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Question: What do you expect from Demond Claiborne as a rookie?
Answer:Enough to wet your whistle for 2027.
Sadly, Claiborne probably won’t see gobs of touches in the Vikings’ offense; Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason are ahead of him on the depth chart, and the Vikings’ coaches value the dependability of those men.
Minnesota Vikings rookie running back Demond Claiborne holds a football during the first day of OTAs at TCO Performance Center as the team begins offseason work in Eagan. On May 26, 2026, Claiborne moved through early practice reps while trying to establish his role in Kevin O’Connell’s offense before training camp later that summer. Mandatory Credit: YouTube.
But Claiborne has speed to die for (4.37), which Jones and Mason do not possess. We estimate around 75 touches for Claiborne and more if Jones rides the injury train, which usually happens. It’s unclear if Claiborne has the tackle-breaking gene to become an RB1 or elite RB vision, but we trust that new assistant head coach Frank Smith will guide him in the right direction.
When we get to the 2027 offseason, fans will wonder which running back the Vikings will find to pair with Claiborne as a one-two punch.
Question: Why did Minnesota settle on Blake Brandel at center?
Answer:He improved every game at center during Ryan Kelly’s absence in 2025.
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Offensive coordinator Wes Phillips said about Brandel last season, “The way Blake handled this game, I think we might be looking at a situation where this could be his best position of all five across the line. And getting Jurgens back into practice is just a plus for us. And we’ll see where all those guys are at throughout the week as we assess.”
“Going back to years past, Blake hasn’t played a lot of center, but they’re always working those guys because of these situations, the interior backups particularly, have to at least be swing guards. Having some center flex centers that are only centers, kind of limit you with your roster. Generally, they have to at least function at guard. So those guys get worked in throughout the offseason.”
The Vikings could’ve signed about five different veteran centers in free agency or drafted Logan Jones, Sam Hecht, Jake Slaughter, or Connor Lew in April.
But nope — they trust Brandel. Perhaps the guy deserves a fair shake.
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Question: Are the Vikings capable of winning the NFC North?
Answer:Of course.
Minnesota can win the NFC North if they do one thing: protect the football.
Sep 28, 2025; Dublin, Ireland; Minnesota Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell at a press conference after an NFL International Series game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Croke Park. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
In 2024, the Vikings ranked third-best via turnover differential. In 2025, they ranked third-worst in the same metric. Kevin O’Connell’s Vikings follow one strict script: when his team protects the football and wins the turnover battle, it wins 90% of games. When it loses the turnover battle, that win percentage drops to 27%.
The rest will take care of itself if Minnesota’s offense protects the ball while Flores’s defense does Flores defense things.
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … More about Dustin Baker
Junior golfers are constantly absorbing advice from every direction — coaches, tour players, parents and even friends. While most of it is well-intentioned, not every tip helps. In fact, some of the most common pointers young players hear can actually slow their development and create unnecessary frustration.
In a recent instagram post, Cameron McCormick — a GOLF Top 100 Teacher and instructor to major champions like Jordan Spieth and Celine Boutier — ranked the most common tips junior golfers receive from worst to best, and his answers might surprise you.
By understanding which lessons are worth embracing — and which ones you can ignore — you’ll help your junior golfer develop smarter practice habits, build a better game, and enjoy the path to improvement with less frustration. Here, then, are the most common pieces of advice for juniors, ranked from worst to best.
‘Play as many tournaments as possible’
This one might be a bit surprising, as it’s one of the most common suggestions for juniors looking to become better competitors. But McCormick explains that playing more tournaments doesn’t necessarily mean your junior is gaining valuable playing experience.
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“Competition exposes weaknesses, practice fixes them,” he says, “If a players skill isn’t improving between tournaments, more events usually just means more expensive frustration.”
‘You just need to want it more’
If you’re trying to help your junior golfer find that “fire in the belly,” this might sound like good advice. But according to McCormick, it’s not as helpful as many parents think.
“Wanting it more is great for a motivational speech, but desire doesn’t replace skill,” McCormick says, “Most struggling players don’t need more motivation; they need a better training plan.”
‘Get your reps in’
As well-intentioned as this advice may be, McCormick says it often encourages juniors to value time on the range over purposeful practice. And without a clear plan, all those reps can do more harm than good.
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‘Watch what the best players do’
In theory, this advice is solid. Watch the best players in the world, and you’re bound to learn something. But if you don’t understand the reasoning behind what they’re doing, simply copying their movements won’t help.
‘Stay positive’
It might be one of the most overused pieces of advice junior golfers hear, but that doesn’t necessarily make it helpful. As McCormick explains, a vague suggestion like “stay positive” can actually create more frustration than meaningful improvement.
“Positive thinking has value, but elite performers aren’t successful because they’re positive. They’re successful because they make good decisions after mistakes,” he says.
Instead, try helping your junior work through the course-management decisions they can make after a mistake. Doing so teaches them how to recover from a bad shot while reinforcing that mistakes are simply part of the game — not something to dwell on.
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‘Trust the process’
Another phrase juniors hear all the time — but what does it actually mean? As McCormick points out, if your junior doesn’t have a process to begin with, what exactly are they trusting?
“Without a clear plan, this becomes a slogan instead of a strategy,” he says.
But, if you can help your junior golfer build a defined practice routine with measurable goals and regular feedback, they’ll have a process that’s worth trusting.
‘Play to your pattern’
“Great players understand their tendencies and build strategies around them, rather than pretending every shot is available every day,” McCormick says.
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This is great advice because it helps juniors better understand their own games, build confidence and recognize that even the best players don’t have every shot at their disposal every day.
‘Focus on what the ball is doing’
This advice encourages juniors to become better problem-solvers instead of obsessing over swing positions.
Ball flight provides immediate feedback. By learning to connect what the ball does with what created that shot, young golfers develop a deeper understanding of their swings and become more capable of making adjustments on their own.
“Elite players learn to connect what they do with what the ball does instead of obsessing about the positions,” McCormick says.
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That’s a skill that pays off at every age.
‘Practice like you play’
McCormick’s top piece of advice is also one of golf’s oldest — and for good reason.
Whether your junior is just getting started or dreaming of college golf, practice should resemble the situations they’ll face on the course. That means creating pressure, changing targets, going through a full pre-shot routine and holding themselves accountable for every shot.
“If your training doesn’t resemble performance, don’t expect your performance to magically appear on tournament days,” McCormick says.
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The closer practice mirrors competition, the more prepared your junior will be when the score starts to matter.
Santos superstar Neymar was a notable absentee from the squad as Cuca’s side secured a dominant victory in the Copa Sudamericana on Tuesday night. Rather than flying to Venezuela for the continental clash, the Brazilian icon was spotted competing in a professional poker tournament in São Paulo.
High stakes at the poker table
While his Santos teammates were battling on the pitch in Venezuela, Neymar was busy testing his luck and skill at the Brazilian Series of Poker (BSOP) Winter edition. The forward, who has a well-documented passion for the card game, was spotted at the Golden Hall of the WTC Complex in Sao Paulo participating in the fourth stage of the national championship, according to ESPN Brazil. It is a familiar haunt for the Santos hero; during his participation in the same tournament in 2025, Neymar pocketed R$53,500.
The timing of his appearance raised eyebrows among some supporters, as it occurred just hours before Santos kicked off their crucial playoff tie. However, his presence at the event was not a case of going AWOL. The club had already made the decision to leave their marquee player behind to focus on a specific fitness programme following his return from a disappointing World Cup campaign.
Santos manager Cuca was quick to clarify the situation surrounding his star man after the 4-1 victory over Universidad Central. The veteran coach insisted that the decision to leave Neymar out was primarily aimed at ensuring he was fully rested following his international commitment.
“Since he was sidelined for a few days and didn’t have a holiday, we decided to let him get even stronger, training hard so he could have a run of games,” Cuca explained after the match. “Now, in ten days, we’re going to play four matches. What advantage would it be to bring him here? You saw how hard and exhausting the trip is. He stayed there working, just like [Willian] Arao, Joao Schmidt, and Igor Vinicius, and that gives us more options for the upcoming games.”
Despite his evening at the poker table, Neymar has been putting in the work at the club’s training ground. He had recently shared a video on social media showing him scoring goals and looking sharp in training drills. The manager’s plan appears to be focused on ensuring Neymar is at 100 percent for the domestic campaign, where the club is currently struggling in 15th place in the league table.
Successful night for the Peixe
Even without their talisman, Santos proved far too strong for Universidad Central, putting one foot firmly in the Copa Sudamericana round of 16. The Brazilian giants romped to a 4-1 victory in Venezuela, establishing a commanding cushion ahead of next week’s second leg at the Vila Belmiro. Should they finish the job, Ecuadorian giants Macara await in the next round.
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When asked if his No. 10 would return for the upcoming league fixture, Cuca confirmed Neymar will be back in action against Chapecoense this Saturday. The decisive away win eases the pressure on their continental campaign, allowing the club to shift its entire focus back to domestic duties for the weekend.
Life after international retirement
This period marks a significant transition for Neymar, who recently called time on his legendary career with the Selecao. The forward announced his retirement from international football following Brazil’s shock 2-1 loss to Norway at the 2026 World Cup, an exit that left the player in tears. Having scored 80 goals in 130 appearances for his country, he stepped away from the world stage at the MetLife Stadium.
With his international duties now a thing of the past, the focus for the remainder of his career is firmly on his club commitments with Santos. The Peixe are desperate for his leadership and goal-scoring prowess to navigate a congested fixture list. If he can stay fit and replicate the sharp form shown in recent training sessions, his presence will be the deciding factor in whether Santos can salvage their season.
Argentina fly half Tomas Albornoz has been charged with misconduct and faces a disciplinary hearing after “remonstrating with match officials” follow his side’s defeat to England in Santiago del Estero.
Albornoz was denied a chance to kick for a potential draw after a last-minute try was ruled out by referee Angus Gardner in consultation with television match official (TMO) Brett Cronan.
The officials ruled that Bautista Delguy had grounded the ball simultaneously on the try-line and corner flag, and thus not scored, as England held on for a 31-24 victory.
Albornoz appeared to approach Gardner and his assistants aggressively thereafter, and has now been charged by World Rugby under its Match Official Abuse Sanction Process,
The details of his disciplinary hearing will be released in due course.
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“The Match Official Abuse Sanction Process was introduced to complement Regulation 18 and provide a clearer and more consistent framework for addressing public criticism of match officials, particularly where such comments may contribute to wider online abuse,” World Rugby explained in a statement.
“Developed by a cross-game working group including competition owner, match official playing and coaching representation and championed by Union CEOs, the process reflects a unified commitment to support and protect match officials.”
Argentina were disappointed that Delguy’s try was chalked off, and that no penalty try was awarded for an apparent high tackle by Noah Caluori.
AEW star Sammy Guevara was rumoured to leave All Elite Wrestling. In the past few days, many revelations were made regarding his run. He has been one of the most precise high flyers in the Jacksonville-based promotion. Despite his immense talent, he hasn’t been able to become ‘the’ star in the company. Recently, he changed his X handle’s bio, where there was no mention of AEW.
This started the rumour that the Spanish God may be out of the company soon. Despite the talk, he was still present on the official roster page. Upon investigation, reports revealed that nobody among the AEW roster seems to know what is going on with the former TNT Champion. However, suspicion arose because in a recent interview he expressed frustration about his absence from AEW.
While speaking on Wrestling Observer Live, Bryan Alvarez said there was no mention of AEW in Sammy Guevara’s bio before. However, someone started a rumour that AEW was removed from his bio because he probably wants to leave the company.
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“So what happened was, he tweeted ‘New bio,’ and somebody went up there, looked at his bio, saw there was no AEW mentioned in it, and then they spread around the internet that he had ‘removed’ AEW from his bio. I have been told that he never had AEW in his bio. AEW was never removed from his bio. Someone thought he had removed it from his bio, which is why this whole story came out that he wanted out or had gotten his release. So really, nothing has changed at all over the last week. So that’s the update,” he said. [H/T – Ringside News]
Update on Sammy Guevara’s wife
While investigating the Spanish God’s whereabouts, major news about his wife, Tay Melo, surfaced. According to Wrestling Observer Live, Tay requested her release from AEW last year. However, it was denied.
“Multiple sources told me that Tay Melo requested a release last year but it was denied. It’s expected we will know what’s up when everyone gets to TV tomorrow,” said Alvarez.
It will be interesting to see when fans will see Sammy Guevara on AEW TV.
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Jul 4, 2026; London, United Kingdom; Marie Bouzkova of the Czech Republic returns a shot during her match against Liudmila Samsonova on day six at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club. Mandatory Credit: Susan Mullane-Imagn Images
Top-seeded and Prague native Marie Bouzkova moved into the quarterfinals with a 7-5, 6-4 victory over Carol Young Suh Lee on Wednesday at the Prague Open in the Czech Republic.
It was not easy for Bouzkova, who won one of her four WTA singles titles in Prague last year. She trailed 5-3 in the first set, before running off the final four games and finished off her inexperienced opponent with a break of serve in a 10-point final game of the match.
Bouzkova will meet countrywoman and fifth-seeded Tereza Valentova in Friday’s quarterfinals. Valentova rallied to defeated Australian Maya Joint 1-6, 6-0, 6-3, winning 63-of-101 points in the final two sets.
In the other two matches, eighth-seeded Daria Snigur of Ukraine eliminated Turkey’s Ayla Aksu, 6-3, 3-2 and Dominika Salkova, of the Czech Republic routed France’s Oceane Dodin, 6-1, 6-1.
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MSC Hamburg Ladies Open
Second-seeded Anhelina Kalinina of Ukraine headlined a list of four seeded players that advanced to the quarterfinals in Germany.
Kalinina defeated Argentina’s Maria Lourdes Carle, 6-1, 6-3 and will face fifth-seeded German Tamara Korpatsch, who got past countrywoman Julia Stusek, 6-0, 3-6, 6-3. Stusek, ranked No. 435 in the WTA, only held her serve once in the final set.
In other second round matches, fourth-seeded Anna Bodnar of Hungary outlasted Germany’s Noma Noha Akugue 6-1, 3-6, 7-5, but eighth-seeded Sinja Kraus of Austria fell to Armenia’s Alina Charaeva 5-7, 7-5, 7-5.
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In first round action, Egypt’s Mayar Sherif, who just captured the tournament in Romania two days ago, upset sixth-seeded Simona Waltert of Switzerland 5-7, 6-4, 7-6 (3); France’s Elsa Jacquemot defeated German wild-card Tessa Johanna Brockmann, 7-5, 6-1 and Spain’s Paula Badosa eliminated Poland’s Katarzyna Kawa 7-5, 6-4.
Renowned football scout and talent developer, Paul Ojo Omamomo, has praised the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for its commitment to scouting and developing young football talents across the country, describing grassroots development as the foundation of a brighter future for Nigerian football.
Speaking ahead of the Flying Eagles’ campaign at the 2026 WAFU B U-20 Championship in Côte d’Ivoire, Omamomo commended the NFF, its technical department and the national youth team coaches for identifying exceptional young players from football clubs and academies nationwide.
According to him, exposing talented youngsters to international football at youth level is the best pathway to producing the next generation of Super Eagles stars capable of competing on the global stage.
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He also applauded Flying Eagles head coach Abdul Maikaba and his technical crew for assembling a talented squad with the quality to successfully defend Nigeria’s WAFU B U-20 title.
Omamomo called on football club owners, academy operators, coaches and administrators to increase investment in grassroots football, stressing that early talent identification, quality coaching, discipline and structured player development remain the pillars of sustained success.
He noted that modern football has increasingly embraced young players, with many of the world’s leading football nations building their teams around gifted teenagers who have been properly developed from an early age.
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“Nigeria is blessed with enormous football talent. We must continue to create opportunities for these young players to develop and fulfil their potential,” he said.
Omamomo added that the Flying Eagles’ participation in the WAFU B U-20 Championship goes beyond defending a regional title. He said the tournament provides another opportunity for Nigeria to showcase the depth of its football talent and strengthen its reputation as one of Africa’s leading producers of world-class players.
He expressed confidence that the NFF’s continued investment in scouting and youth development will produce more elite footballers capable of bringing success to Nigeria on both the continental and global stage.
Former Manchester United and Real Madrid midfielder Casemiro has completed his transfer to Inter Miami – but the deal is now being investigated by Major League Soccer (MLS) amid claims of tampering.
The 34-year-old Brazil international, who was a free agent following the conclusion of his contract at Old Trafford last season, joins the Major League Soccer club on a deal that runs until the end of the 2027 MLS Sprint Season.
The agreement includes an option to extend his stay until June 2029, pending visa approval.
Casemiro’s discovery rights were held by LA Galaxy, and by league rule that would have prevented Inter Miami from negotiating with him.
The teams reached a settlement that allowed Inter Miami to get the long-awaited signing done, but the league is still probing the tampering allegation.
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“The league is gathering all relevant information and will refrain from further comment until the review is complete,” MLS said in a statement.
“While Inter Miami CF and the LA Galaxy have reached a settlement for the Discovery Priority to sign Casemiro, the terms will be released upon conclusion of the tampering investigation.”
It’s unclear when Casemiro will debut for Inter Miami as he is still waiting on the necessary visa.
Casemiro brings with him an impressive haul of five Champions League winners’ medals, alongside FA Cup and League Cup triumphs from his time in England.
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The Brazil international will now link up with Argentina forward Lionel Messi in Miami.
He told Inter Miami’s official website: “What motivates me the most – and I think this is true for every player – is winning and continuing to grow. The project the club presented to me, along with the effort everyone made to bring me here, means a lot to me.
“I’m incredibly grateful and I can’t wait to get started so I can repay that trust—not only during the 90 minutes on matchday, but every day in training as well.
“All I can say is thank you, and I’ll give everything I have to return the affection and confidence the club has shown me.”
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Casemiro spent four years at Manchester United (Martin Rickett/PA)
Capped 91 times by his country – the last five of them at the 2026 World Cup – the former Sao Paulo player brings vast experience to his new club.
Co-owner David Beckham said: “I’m very proud to welcome Casemiro and his family to Inter Miami. He is a person and a player that I have admired for a long time.
“He is a winner who has achieved so much in the game and after such an incredible career with Real Madrid and Manchester United I’m delighted that he’s decided to make Miami his next home.”
Managing Owner Jorge Mas added: “Casemiro’s arrival reflects the vision and ambition that define Inter Miami. We never settle.
“We’re always looking to grow, improve, and raise our standards every season.
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“We’ve built a global club with the vision of becoming not only the best club in the United States, but also a benchmark globally.
“Casemiro embodies everything this club stands for: leadership, a winning mentality, and an extraordinary track record at the highest level of the game.
“After achieving virtually everything there is to achieve in fútbol, his decision to join Inter Miami shows that he shares our ambition and our commitment to the highest standards as we continue building for the future.
“We’re thrilled to welcome him to the Inter Miami family.”
The World Firefighters Games will involve competitors from 70 countries / World Firefighters Games
Italian Exhibition Group the organiser behind Dubai Active and Dubai Muscle Show will organise the Health and Wellness Expo and Fire and Safety Expo alongside the 2026 World Firefighters Games in Saudi Arabia
The event is expected to attract more than 7,000 competitors, 200,000 spectators and participants from 70 countries
The exhibition will showcase functional fitness, occupational health, recovery, nutrition, healthcare technology and specialist training solutions designed to support firefighter performance and resilience
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The appointment highlights growing opportunities for the commercial fitness sector in adjacent markets
Italian Exhibition Group – the organiser behind industry events Dubai Active and Dubai Muscle Show – has been appointed to deliver the Health and Wellness Expo and Fire and Safety Expo at the 16th World Firefighters Games.
The events will take place at Dhahran Expo in Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia, from 6 to 8 November 2026 with the games happening from 5 to 13 November.
The World Firefighter Games is expected to attract more than 7,000 competitors, 200,000 spectators and participants from 70 countries to compete in 56 sporting disciplines.
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For the commercial fitness sector, the appointment highlights the growing role of health, fitness and wellness expertise in adjacent performance markets. It also reflects the increasing popularity of large-scale participation events built around physical challenge and community.
While aimed at firefighters rather than consumers, the games demonstrate the commercial potential of combining sport with an exhibition ecosystem – a model aligned with events such as Hyrox and Athx.
The Health and Wellness Expo will showcase products and services spanning functional fitness, occupational health, recovery, healthcare technology, nutrition and specialist training programmes designed to support firefighter health, performance and resilience.
Alongside the Fire and Safety Expo, it will create opportunities for networking, business development and knowledge exchange between firefighters, health professionals, equipment manufacturers and technology companies, while promoting best practice in occupational health and wellbeing.
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For suppliers serving the commercial fitness market, the event also represents another route to market beyond traditional health clubs, reflecting growing demand from emergency services and other sectors where physical capability is fundamental to job performance.
Corrado Peraboni, CEO of Italian Exhibition Group, said: “IEG Arabia’s partnership with the World Firefighters Games 2026 reflects our ambition to expand internationally and consolidate our presence in strategic growth markets. The Middle East is a key priority for us, and trade fairs also have an important role to play in supporting Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, creating platforms for investment, knowledge exchange and industry development.”
Francesco Santa, CEO of IEG Middle East, added: “The Firefighter Health and Wellness Expo at the World Firefighters Games 2026 is one of the most important global events for the firefighting community and a platform that aligns with our experience in organising large-scale events dedicated to health, fitness and wellness.
“We’ll bring together the world’s leading brands, organisations and innovators to support the health, performance and wellbeing of firefighters, while creating a dynamic environment that promotes collaboration, innovation and industry connections.”
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Preparations are already underway, with the organisers expecting the exhibitions to attract tens of thousands of visitors, including industry professionals, athletes and delegates from around the world.
The lineup for this year’s WNBA All-Star 3-point contest has been a talking point in the sports world since it was announced. New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu was among the most notable players absent from the annual competition.
Ionescu addressed the speculation ahead of Wednesday’s Liberty-Sky matchup, pushing back against reports that she chose not to participate in this weekend’s WNBA 3-point contest in Chicago. “I can’t decline an offer I never got officially invited to. So was pretty surprised to see that. Never got invited,” the defending 3-point contest champion told reporters during her pregame media availability.
Caitlin Clark and Kayla McBride were also among the high-profile stars who reportedly declined invitations to the competition.
New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu competing in the Kia WNBA Skills Challenge and WNBA STARRY 3-Point Contest on July 18, 2025, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana.(Mike Lawrence/NBAE via Getty Images)
“Whether it’s against Steph Curry or in the W, I always go out and try and beat my record, every single time I’ve gone out.” Ionescu has won the 3-point contest twice, highlighted by her record-setting 37-point performance in 2023.
“I just kind of wanted to set the record straight,” she continued. “Like that was just false, but I’m really excited for the participants in it, and obviously there’s going to be a new winner, so I’m excited to see who wins.”
Ionescu later referenced her previous 3-point showdown with Stephen Curry when asked a follow-up about the issue, “Maybe I’ll do it with Steph again at NBA All-Star and get a really nice official invite.”
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New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu celebrates after winning the WNBA Starry 3-Point Contest on July 18, 2025 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana.(A.J. Mast/NBAE via Getty Images)
The confirmed list of 3-point contest participants includes: Dallas’ Azzi Fudd, Atlanta’s Rhyne Howard, Golden State’s Janelle Salaün, Portland’s Bridget Carleton, Toronto’s Marina Mabrey and Seattle’s Natisha Hiedeman. Howard and Mabrey are the only players in that group with prior 3-point contest experience at All-Star weekend.
Earlier this week, Ionescu refuted a report that she had opted out of this year’s festivities, commenting “lies” under a since-deleted Bleacher Report Instagram post. McBride also weighed in via social media, saying her agent had texted her about the event in the 48 hours before her Instagram Story post, but that no formal invitation ever came.
“Posting things like I’m afraid of shooting smoke is weird and if you didn’t hear it from me prob shouldn’t believe it,” McBride wrote. “We should focus on the great shooters in it already!!! Because there’s some killas in there.”
New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu competes in the WNBA STARRY 3-Point Contest during the 2025 AT&T WNBA All-Star weekend at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana, on July 18, 2025.(Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Jul 22, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Colorado Rockies infielder Kyle Karros (12) is caught in a run down against Washington Nationals pitcher Cade Cavalli (24) in the second inning at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-Imagn Images
Luis Garcia Jr. homered, Cade Cavalli tossed six strong innings, and the Washington Nationals beat the Colorado Rockies 8-0 in the rubber game of the series in Denver on Wednesday.
Cavalli (7-4), making his second start since serving a five-game suspension, scattered four hits, walked a pair and struck out eight in his six innings.
CJ Abrams had four hits and Jorbit Vivas, Nasim Nunez, Dylan Crews and Jose Tena finished with two each for Washington. The Nationals, who entered the afternoon leading the majors in runs, RBIs and home runs, have scored seven or more runs in four of their last five games.
Jake McCarthy doubled to extend his on-base streak to 17 games and Kyle Karros singled and walked twice for Colorado, which finished 2-4 on its homestand. The Rockies committed three errors that resulted in two unearned runs.
Colorado starter Gabriel Hughes (0-2), making his second career start at Coors Field and fourth overall major league appearance, was locked in a pitching duel with Cavalli. Hughes struck out five through four shutout innings before the Nationals got to him to start the fifth.
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Vivas led off the inning with a triple off the wall in right and James Wood drove him home with a hit a sacrifice fly.
Washington broke it open in the seventh against reliever Jimmy Herget. Daylen Liles led off with a walk, went to second on a groundout and Vivas walked. Nunez singled to left to bring home Liles, and Vivas came home when the ball rolled under Mickey Moniak’s glove for an error.
One out later, Garcia blasted his 21st homer of the season into the Nationals’ bullpen to make it 5-0.
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Zach Agnos relieved Herget and gave up consecutive singles to Tena and Abrams. Crews followed with another single to drive in Tena, and two throwing errors on the play allowed Abrams to score.
Washington added to its lead in the eighth. Keiber Ruiz led off with a double, Vivas singled and Nunez followed with an RBI single.
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