Golden State (23-9) defeated Los Angeles (12-19), 84-78, on Sunday at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California. 15,739 were in attendance for the WNBA contest.

Former Lady Vol Rae Burrell started and played 32 minutes for the Sparks. She also recorded nine points, three rebounds, one assist and one steal. Burrell and Los Angeles forward Nneka Ogwumike played 32 minutes each to lead all players in the contest.

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Burrell converted 4-of-7 field goal attempts and 1-of-2 three-point attempts. Ogwumike led all scorers with 16 points.

Los Angeles did not have a lead in the game. The Valkyries’ largest lead was 19 points. Golden State also outrebounded the Sparks, 36-28.

More: Rae Burrell leads Sparks in scoring at Minnesota

Burrell played at Tennessee from 2018-22. She appeared in 110 games, including 47 starts, and averaged 10.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 22.6 minutes per contest. At Tennessee, Burrell was named to the 2021-22 USA TODAY Preseason All-America Third Team.

She was selected by Los Angeles in the first round of the 2022 WNBA draft (No. 9 overall).

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This article originally appeared on Vols Wire: Former Lady Vol leads Sparks in minutes against Golden State

NEW DELHI: India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak believes the team gained more from its warm-up match against Sri Lanka than it could have from several additional days of conventional training, as the visitors completed a six-wicket win ahead of the Test series.

Team India wrapped up its only practice fixture before the two-match series with a successful 207-run chase, giving players from both departments valuable match time ahead of the opening Test in Galle from August 15.

Kotak was particularly impressed by the intensity on display, saying the competitive nature of the fixture made it more valuable than routine practice sessions.

‘Very good, very productive’

Speaking in a video shared by the BCCI on X, Kotak said: “I think it was very good, very productive because if we practice four more days, I don’t think it will be as good as the practice match because the bowlers bowled with good intensity. I think the batters batted well and we actually tried that everyone, even bowlers, get to bat and all the bowlers get enough loading what is required.”

India’s batting unit had plenty of positives, with Devdutt Padikkal producing the standout performance. He remained unbeaten on 142 off 164 balls as India declared their first innings at 357/6 in response to Sri Lanka XI’s 363/8 declared.

Kotak singled out Padikkal while also praising the contribution of India’s fast bowlers on a pitch that offered little assistance.

“I think Devdutt batted really well, the way Gurnoor also bowled, and our fast bowlers put a lot of effort on the wicket where there was nothing. All the pacers put in a lot of effort. I think it was all in all a very good practice match. But for me, Devdutt’s innings was also really good,” he said.

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Siraj, Gurnoor entertain with sixes

Kotak also highlighted the unexpected power-hitting contributions from India’s lower order, specifically mentioning Gurnoor Singh and Mohammed Siraj.

“It’s been very good. I would say Gurnoor and Siraj hitting sixes, three to four-four sixes,” he added.

Sri Lanka XI declared their second innings at 200/6 to set India 207. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill provided the platform before Ravindra Jadeja, Rishabh Pant and Siraj completed the chase.

Gill, returning to action on the final day, scored a brisk 44 off 54 balls, while Siraj smashed an unbeaten 32 off just 15 balls, including four sixes.

The result gives India valuable momentum and match practice before the Test series begins in Galle on August 15.

Paul Messara, the trainer, is contemplating another race for his promising mare Avista after her recent successful transition to metropolitan racing with a Randwick victory.

Avista, a four-year-old and the $2.25 favourite for Saturday’s Precise Air Handicap (1400m), had previously won three races in country grade, including an impressive 4-1/2 length win at Muswellbrook. Despite spotting the leaders a start at the top of the straight, she responded well to jockey James McDonald, managing to catch Mind Ya Bizz ($31) by a half-head.

McDonald, riding Avista for the first time, commented that he might have approached the race differently if he had a better understanding of the mare. Pundits comparing the best bonus bets Australia would have noted the favourite’s determined finish, living up to market expectations.

“If I had my time again, she would have won more comfortably,” McDonald said.

“Watching replays of lesser class, she’s had some zip about her. Up in class today, back in trip a little bit, she was a bit flat-footed. It wasn’t ideal.”

Messara will assess Avista’s recovery over the next few days, but he is keen for her to have one more run.

He believes this campaign is about targeting one more race of this calibre before a spell, with the autumn next year being the ideal time for her.

“We’ll see how she comes through this. There are other races coming up for her,” Messara commented.

“I think this preparation, it’s about targeting one more race like this and then giving her a little break, and I’d say the autumn will be the time for her.”

Keep an eye on betting sites for the latest racing odds.

Indian boxer Jadumani Singh, who won a silver medal in the men’s 55kg category at the Commonwealth Games 2026, recalled his emotional victory over a Pakistani opponent on Kargil Vijay Diwas during an interaction with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with India’s Commonwealth Games 2026 medal winners at his residence in New Delhi on Sunday, where athletes shared their memorable moments from the Games. During the interaction, PM Modi asked Jadumani about his victory on Kargil Vijay Diwas. “Who won on Kargil Vijay Diwas?” PM Modi asked in a video shared on his YouTube on Monday.

Recalling the bout, Jadumani said the date held special significance for him as he is associated with the Indian Army.

“It was Kargil Day. The day I fought against Pakistan was on that day. Being from the Indian Army, I was very determined that I had to beat Pakistan. I defeated them 5-0 and dedicated it to our Indian Army heroes,” Jadumani said.

Jadumani defeated Pakistan’s Sumama Rehman by a dominant 5-0 unanimous decision in the Round of 16 clash at the Games.

Appreciating the Indian boxer, PM Modi said dedicating the victory to Kargil heroes added greater significance to his achievement.

“Remembering that, especially since you are from the forces yourself… I truly believe the sentiment you expressed, dedicating your medal to the Kargil winners, added extra glory to that victory. And you defeated exactly the one you were supposed to!” PM Modi said.

During the interaction, PM Modi also praised Mirabai Chanu for her emotional medal-winning moment.

Chanu solidified her legacy as one of India’s all-time great weightlifters with her third CWG gold at Glasgow in the 48 kg, after gold medals in 48 kg in the 2018 edition and 49 kg in the 2022 edition at Birmingham.

Along with an Olympic silver medal in 49 kg, three World Championship medals including a gold in the 2017 edition and an Asian Championship bronze, Mirabai’s resume is that of an undisputed legend in the sport, and an Asian Games medal would complete her medal cabinet, with a medal won at each major multi-sport/weighlifting event.

“You have brought great pride. So many tears were falling; it felt like a gold medal was dripping with every drop,” PM Modi told Chanu, who clinched gold at Glasgow 2026.

Recalling her journey and challenges, Mirabai said she became emotional after winning the medal as she had narrowly missed out at the Olympics.

“I was very happy and emotional that day. I cried because I had missed out on a medal by just 1 kg in the Olympics. A player has to face so many challenges. Over these four years, I faced constant injuries and family problems,” she said.

She added that standing on the podium and seeing the national flag rise is an overwhelming moment for every athlete.

“Standing on the podium, when our flag goes up and the National Anthem plays, sir, we just can’t stop ourselves; tears come out naturally,” Mirabai said.

India ended its Commonwealth Games campaign in Glasgow with 39 medals, including 13 gold, 17 silver and nine bronze, to finish fourth in the overall medal standings.

The Glasgow Games concluded after 11 days of competition, with Scotland formally handing over the Commonwealth Games flag and ceremonial baton to India, which will host the landmark centenary edition of the multi-sport event in Ahmedabad in 2030.

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Trainer Adrian Bott is considering a start for Golden Gift winner Revengeance in The Rosebud, with the final decision to be made after trackwork on Tuesday. An alternative is another barrier trial before his comeback.

The colt is slated for nomination in Saturday’s Listed Rosehill sprint, but his final commitment will depend on his fitness evaluation following his week’s gallop.

“He’ll be nominated, but it’s whether he runs there or whether we lean towards a trial and go to the San Domenico Stakes as a kick off,” Bott said. “We will probably make a call on Tuesday morning before acceptances. We’ll see the nominations, and get a gauge off his work there on Tuesday.”

Bott added, “He’s come back well. Either way, he’ll be better suited once he gets up to 1400 and a mile. He’s going to be that style of horse this ‘prep’, but he will try to head towards a Golden Rose.”

Revengeance debuted with a third in the Breeders’ Plate last October before winning the Golden Gift at his second outing, and was among the early contenders for the Golden Slipper. However, a subsequent diagnosis of bone chips in a knee necessitated surgery, sidelining him for the autumn.

The colt has participated in two barrier trials ahead of his return. If he does not compete at Rosehill, he will feature in another Randwick trial this Friday, with a likely resumption in the San Domenico Stakes (1100m) on August 29.

Stablemate Eviction Notice, the runner-up in the Silver Slipper Stakes, will also be entered for The Rosebud (1100m).

He has placed in two recent winter return runs, giving him a fitness edge for the three-year-old feature.

“Eviction Notice might be a lighter weight chance in the race. He would have the advantage of being fit as he’s had a couple of runs,” Bott stated.

Compare betting markets for the race at online bookmakers.

Alas Pilipinas girls’ Caera Celis.–CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Alas Pilipinas girls chase a place in the next tier of the FIVB Volleyball Girls U17 World Championship, looking to turn their first appearance on the global stage into something more than just participation.

With two huge wins under their belt and two pool matches still to play, the Philippines has a foot in the round of 16 and will try to cement its place against World No. 6 Peru on Tuesday (Manila time) at Liceo Particular Mixto San Felipe.

The Philippines, the lowest-ranked team in Pool B at No. 25, has already shaken up the order with a 2-1 win-loss record, sitting second behind top-ranked China after historic victories over No. 8 Mexico and No. 20 Tunisia. The top four from the six-team pools advance to the Round of 16, and a straight-sets victory by the Philippines will not only seal passage into the next round but put the Alas girls in a potential top two finish in the group.

READ: Alas Pilipinas squads continue history-making ways

Team manager and assistant coach Karl Chan said what Alas Pilipinas Girls have done to this point is commendable, but the next stage is within reach and they need to seize the moment.

“The players understand what is at stake right now, what they need to do, and what our goals are,” Chan said.

“We’re not done yet. The next step is to make the Round of 16. We can’t get complacent just because we beat two top teams. We still have two more top teams to beat, so we have to keep the same focus.”

Mental performance coach Wynnette Bernardo said the players have shown little regard for the rankings, focusing instead on what they need to do.

“They’re really just focused on winning. They’re not thinking, ‘Oh this is a top 8 team’ or anything like that,” Bernardo said.

“Take Caera Celis, for example, she has this ‘I don’t care mindset’. It’s really ‘I’m just going to play my game.’”

READ: Alas girls sweep Tunisia, boost chances of advancing in U17 worlds

Celis has consistently led the team in scoring, while Xyz Rayco has slowly rediscovered her killer form and re-emerged as one of the go-to scorers in the clutch. Princess Khaira Manzano, Madele Gale and Sharina Lleses have also proven to be valuable contributors.

Alas Pilipinas winds up its pool play assignment with a match against world No. 12 Venezuela.

World No. 6 Peru is running third with five points from two wins in three matches, while Venezuela has a 1-2 record and sits in fourth at the tournament break. Mexico is in fifth, followed by Tunisia.

Assistant coach Oliver Balse expects the players’ level to rise, and he was bold enough to say he sees straight-sets wins coming.

“It’s going to get better from here. They’ve gotten acclimatized, they’ve gained confidence as well. We just need to maintain their focus and keep motivating them to do more.”

KATSEYE faced criticism following its recent performance at the Head In The Clouds festival, with some fans questioning the group’s reaction after Manon’s name was chanted by the audience. On August 8, 2026, KATSEYE headlined the music festival with a 60-minute set. The group performed as a quartet, with group leader Sophia and fellow member Manon currently on hiatus.

During the performance, group member Lara asked the audience to send their love to Sophia. While some fans appreciated the gesture, others questioned why Manon was not mentioned, given that she was also away from group activities.

The situation drew further attention later in the set Lara encouraged the audience to say, “I love you, Sophia.” Instead, sections of the crowd responded by loudly chanting Manon’s name.

The members appeared caught off guard by the reaction. Lara responded with a brief, seemingly flustered “Well…” before the performance continued without the group directly acknowledging the chants.

Clips of the moment quickly circulated on social media, prompting debate among KATSEYE fans. Some criticized the members’ reaction and described it as awkward. One fan wrote,

“mannn Im so over this group,”

Fans questioned why Manon was not given a similar shoutout, with some accusing the group of continuing to single her out. Others called on HxG to address the situation, arguing that the incident has only intensified concerns over Manon’s treatment.

Other fans also admitted that the group’s reaction to Manon’s name felt unusually uncomfortable and difficult to overlook.

KATSEYE’s Sophia Laforteza takes hiatus to prioritize mental health and well-being ahead of Wild release

KATSEYE’s Sophia Laforteza would be taking a temporary break from the group’s activities to focus on her mental health and well-being. The singer announced her hiatus on August 7, 2026, with HYBE and Geffen Records confirming that she will step away from promotional schedules for the time being. According to the agencies,

“Sophia has been [..] following thorough consultations with medical professionals, it has been advised that she take dedicated time for extended rest and ongoing care to ensure a full recovery. While Sophia herself is eager to perform alongside her members, the health, safety, and long-term well-being of our artists will always remain our highest priority.”

Her condition was expected to be reassessed in September, when the agencies plan to provide another update. Laforteza also addressed EYEKONS directly through her Instagram Stories following the announcement. She acknowledged that missing upcoming activities would be difficult, particularly because of her love for performing and spending time with fans. The KATSEYE leader explained,

“It truly breaks my heart to have to miss out on a lot. You know how much I love being on stage, performing, and sharing these moments with you. Making this decision wasn’t easy, but I’m learning that health has to come first. I’m realizing that if I don’t take care of my mind and body now, I won’t be able to keep doing what I love the most for so long.”

Laforteza then thanked the group’s fandom, EYEKONS, for their patience and support and asked them to continue supporting KATSEYE while she remains away from the group.

“Thank you for being so patient, understanding, and always showing me so much love. It means more to me than I could ever say. I promise I’m going to work as hard as I can to get through this, heal properly, and come back stronger. ‘Til then, please continue to be kind and give KATSEYE all your love and support as we fulfill our promise to show up for you in every way we can. I’ll be here as one of the EYEKONS in the meantime with y’all, See you soon” said the singer.

With Laforteza temporarily absent, KATSEYE will carry out its scheduled activities with Daniela Avanzini, Lara Raj, Megan Skiendiel and Yoonchae Jeung. The hiatus comes just days before the release of KATSEYE’s upcoming EP, Wild, which is set to arrive on August 13.

The group is also scheduled to embark on a fall tour beginning September 1, with dates planned across the U.K., Europe, Canada and the U.S. The tour is currently scheduled to conclude in Mexico City on November 27. Laforteza’s return will depend on her recovery, with further information expected after her health is reassessed in September.