NBA superstar LeBron James is leaving the Los Angeles Lakers and will continue his career with another team.

James, 41, has spent the past eight seasons with the Lakers and helped the franchise win the 2020 NBA title.

He has played alongside his son Bronny, 21, since 2024.

Media reports suggest the league’s all-time leading scorer is a target for the Golden State Warriors.

The Lakers said, external: “LeBron James is one of the greatest athletes in history.

“We will always be grateful for his eight years with the Lakers – including the title he led us to in 2020, under the most difficult circumstances imaginable, and the countless records he broke in purple and gold.

“We wish him the best in his future, both on and off the court. He will always be a cherished member of the Lakers family.”

James responded on social media, writing, “No, THANK YOU!”

He said it was “truly a honor” to wear the purple and gold while trying to continue “the greatness & legacies that came before me!”

“Hope I made a few proud during my stint,” he added.

James averaged 20.9 points, 7.2 assists and 6.1 rebounds this season with the Lakers. The 22-time All-Star and four-time NBA champion is the all-time leader in games (1,622) and points (43,440).

He was selected with the first pick in the 2003 NBA Draft ⁠by his hometown Cleveland Cavaliers, where he spent seven seasons before announcing during a live TV special titled ‘The Decision’ that he was leaving for the Miami Heat.

James then ​returned to Cleveland and in 2016 rallied the team from a ‌3-1 series deficit in the NBA ⁠Finals to stun Golden State and make good on his promise ⁠to deliver the Cavaliers their first championship.

He helped the Lakers win the NBA title in 2020, nine months after legend Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna were among nine people killed in a helicopter crash.

Ecuador’s football federation has lodged a complaint with World Cup organisers after local fans gathered outside the team’s hotel ahead of their last-32 match against co-hosts Mexico, saying the incident violated fair play principles. According to local media, around 1,000 Mexican supporters staged a late-night “serenade” outside Ecuador’s hotel in Mexico City on Monday, using noisemakers, pots, and buckets while singing the Mexican folk song “Cielito Lindo.” Police later intervened and dispersed the crowd.

Terence Crawford remains unconvinced that Jaron Ennis is the real deal, naming a world champion who would pose a genuine threat to his title reign.

The 29-year-old became a two-division unified champion last week, dethroning Xander Zayas with a seventh-round stoppage to claim the WBO and WBA super-welterweight titles in New York.

While it was a largely dominant performance, ‘Boots’ did encounter the odd moment of bother, particularly when he seemed troubled by a third-round right hand.

To his credit, though, the flashy stylist was able to recover and eventually halted his man with a third knockdown.

In doing so, Ennis has now put himself in the conversation for a three-belt unification match with either Sebastian Fundora or Josh Kelly, or perhaps even a long-awaited showdown with Vergil Ortiz Jr.

If he were to face Fundora or Ortiz, however, then Crawford is not so sure ‘Boots’ would be let off the hook the way he was against Zayas.

Sharing his thoughts on The PorterWay Podcast, the former three-division undisputed champion was quick to contextualise the American’s triumph over Zayas.

“I don’t think no one picked Xander to win. I love Xander, and he’s a great kid, but I think we’re overhyping [Ennis’] victory.

“I think it’s going to be different when he comes up against a Fundora or a Vergil because, if one of those guys gets him hurt like Xander did, I don’t think it’s going to be the same outcome.”

Indeed, it must be said that Fundora and Ortiz are bigger punchers than Zayas, who is known more for his footwork and ring IQ.

In that same breath, though, it is fair to add the caveat that neither the WBC champion nor Ortiz has proven their power against a fighter like Ennis.

Crawford has previously backed Fundora to beat ‘Boots’, though that was before his performance against Zayas.

On Tuesday, Phoenix Mercury star Alyssa Thomas spoke to reporters for the first time since being suspended for one game after making contact with Caitlin Clark’s throat in a game against the Indiana Fever last Wednesday. The six-time All-Star did not hold back, especially when addressing the harassment and death threats she and her teammates have faced in the wake of the incident, which spawned a nearly week-long uproar on social media and beyond over how the WNBA treats Clark.

“Crazy, you know, the play in the game, being suspended, just the whole narrative that’s being painted out there, it’s unfortunate that it’s come to this over basketball,” Thomas said, when asked about her experience over the past week. “A lot of us, myself included, didn’t even know the play took place until after the game, and now we’re being painted as thugs, and there’s death threats out on us. So it’s really unacceptable. It is something that needs to change in this league, and I’m just really sick and tired of it.”

Thomas was particularly pointed about her criticism of WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert.

“Honestly, I didn’t even know I was being suspended until 10 minutes before it was put on social media. We still have yet to hear anything from Cathy,” Thomas said. “It’s no surprise; you can see what’s being said on social media, and yeah, I mean it’s unfortunate, but as usual, she remains silent, and that’s unfortunate when our lives are being threatened.”

“The WNBA vehemently condemns any and all forms of hate,” WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert said in a statement on Tuesday issued after Thomas’s comments were reported. “The safety and well-being of everyone in our community is always the league’s top priority. We are aware of Alyssa Thomas’ comments, and what she and her teammates have experienced is completely unacceptable and not representative of the WNBA community. The league and our security team have been in contact with the Phoenix Mercury organization and remain committed to protecting all players.”

Engelbert exchanged text messages with Thomas last week and instructed WNBA security to get in touch with Mercury security after the incident, according to a person with knowledge of the situation. 

The incident occurred in the first half of the Mercury’s 111-109 win at Gainbridge Field House on June 24. It was the second time in 48 hours the two teams faced off in Indianapolis, and after the first testy affair won by the Fever, it wasn’t a surprise that the second meeting was extremely physical and, at times, heated. There were multiple controversial non-calls on players defending Clark, who left the game due to a back injury in the second half. But the play that got the most attention on social media happened during a loose-ball scramble in the second quarter, when Clark got caught on the bottom of the pile and Thomas put her fist on Clark’s throat as she went to get up. 

There was no foul called on the play, and it didn’t get much attention on the court. But when slow-motion and freeze-frame footage of the play went viral online, it created a firestorm of outrage. The day after the game, the WNBA retroactively issued Thomas a Flagrant 2 and one-game suspension.

Thomas said that her contact with Clark’s throat was an “accident” and that she didn’t even realize she had done it during the game. Still, she did not argue about the suspension itself, saying, “If that’s what they felt was necessary in that moment, then so be it.”

Her biggest concern was the league’s failure to stand up for players or protect them in the face of a torrent of abuse, some of which involved threatening players’ children and racist slurs. 

“I think the biggest thing is it’s just about our safety. We’re so concerned about the safety on the floor, but time and time again we’re having people threatening our lives, leaking addresses out there, putting crazy pictures that have nothing to do with basketball,” Thomas said. 

She said the abuse she has experienced over the past week has been far worse than anything she’s experienced in her WNBA career, including in 2024 when Thomas’ Connecticut Sun played Clark and the Fever in the playoffs. 

“You know, our families are being threatened, kids are being threatened, people are sending racial slurs and all types of stuff. There’s a difference between trolling, and there’s a difference between hatred and the hatred that we’re experiencing over a play that honestly was a complete accident, nobody even knew it happened,” she said. “It’s just unfortunate, but the league has to do better in this instance.”

Norway booked their place in the last 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a dramatic 2-1 victory over Ivory Coast, with striker Erling Haaland scoring a late winner in Dallas.

Antonio Nusa gave Norway the lead in the 39th minute with a brilliant curling effort before Ivory Coast fought back through substitute Amad Diallo in the second half. However, Haaland struck in the 86th minute to seal a historic victory for the Scandinavians.

The result ended Ivory Coast’s impressive World Cup campaign and secured Norway’s first-ever victory in a World Cup knockout match.

Lessons from the Defeat

1. Big Players Must Start Big Games

One of the biggest talking points from the match was Ivory Coast coach Emerse Fae’s decision to leave Amad Diallo on the bench.

The Manchester United winger changed the game immediately after coming on, scoring a superb equaliser and creating problems for the Norwegian defence. His performance showed that creative and influential players must start in crucial matches.

2. Defensive Approach Can Backfire

Ivory Coast lined up in a cautious 4-1-4-1 formation, seemingly determined not to concede early. However, the approach limited their attacking threat and allowed Norway to control large parts of the game.

By the time the Elephants became more adventurous, they were already behind and chasing the match.

3. Quality Finishing Decides Knockout Matches

Norway did not create many chances, but they were clinical when opportunities came their way.

Nusa’s stunning opener and Haaland’s late finish highlighted the importance of taking chances in knockout football. Ivory Coast, meanwhile, struggled to make the most of their opportunities.

4. Star Strikers Always Find a Way

Haaland had been largely quiet throughout the game, but great strikers often need only one chance.

The Manchester City forward was perfectly positioned to convert Patrick Berg’s cut-back and score his 13th consecutive goal in competitive internationals for Norway.

His winning goal once again proved why elite strikers can change games in an instant.

5. Ivory Coast Have a Bright Future

Despite the defeat, there were several positives for the African side.

Teenage sensation Yan Diomande gained valuable experience, while Amad continued to show his quality on the biggest stage. The Elephants also reached the knockout stage of the World Cup for the first time in their history.

The tournament has provided a strong foundation for the future, and the team can build on this experience ahead of upcoming competitions.

Norway Set for Brazil Test

The victory sends Norway into a last-16 clash against five-time world champions Brazil after the South Americans came from behind to defeat Japan.

With Haaland, captain Martin Odegaard and the impressive Antonio Nusa in fine form, Norway will believe they can continue their dream World Cup run.

For Ivory Coast, the defeat hurts, but the lessons from Dallas could help shape a stronger and more experienced team for the future.

Former New York Knicks player Jeremy Lin poses prior to Game Three between the New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs in the 2026 NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden on June 08, 2026 in New York City. AFP

Jeremy Lin has played all over the world and, unsurprisingly, every team he has faced has left a lasting impression.

One of those came in 2024 when Lin suited up for the New Taipei Kings in the East Asia Super League. During that campaign, he went up against the Meralco Bolts and put on a show against the PBA club.

And if there was one thing that stayed with him after that matchup, it was the Bolts’ speed.

“They have tremendous speed, they’re very quick laterally and that’s something that sticks out to me with Filipino players and teams,” he said during the 2026 NBA Rising Stars Invitational at OCBC Arena in Singapore on Sunday.

“A lot of them are extremely athletic. They can jump high and move quickly, and that stuck out to me as well.”

In that 2024 meeting, Lin powered New Taipei to an 89-77 victory over Meralco at PhilSports Arena.

Despite the Bolts’ speed and athleticism, Lin finished with a double-double of 23 points and 10 rebounds.

The 2019 NBA champion, however, had more to say about Filipino basketball than just the talent on the floor.

The man who sparked “Linsanity” also praised Filipinos’ passion for the game and the respect they show their opponents.

“The Filipino squads in the PBA are, first off, very respectful. They play hard, they play to win,” he said.

A current WWE star recently spoke about his early days on the main roster, and figuring out that Vince McMahon was actually pushing him from behind the scenes.

Austin Theory had started off in NXT, moving to the main roster in 2021. Over the next few months, Vince McMahon was shown giving him advice and taking an active interest in his run. Theory eventually won the Money in the Bank contract, although he wasn’t able to win a title with it.

When Austin Theory became the WWE United States Champion, he apparently understood that Vince McMahon was pushing him quickly up the ranks. Speaking on the ImPAULsive podcast, Theory stated:

“When I got to the main roster, I didn’t even kind of realized like Vince (McMahon) was like pushing me and behind me until like I remember when I won the US title and I became the youngest US champ. But at the end of that match, Vince wanted all the heels to come out, hold me up in the ring, and then as I left the ring, he came out at the end on the stage and held my arm. And I think in that moment, I was like, whoa, like something’s going on here. Like we’re going places, you know?”

You can check out his comments below:

Austin Theory has previously explained why he joined The Vision in WWE

According to Austin Theory, joining The Vision was a calculated step.

Speaking on RAW Recap last year, the WWE star had stated:

“Well, to me, it’s about the future, and that’s exactly what The Vision is about. And it’s about taking, and that’s what I’m all about now. I’m not waiting for opportunities, and not looking at my past and saying, ‘Hey, I beat John Cena. Give me something. Somebody hand me another opportunity.’ No, we just take, and that’s how it feels now being in The Vision, just going to take everything,” Theory said.

While Theory has achieved quite a lot in The Vision, he currently does not hold any titles. What is planned for him next is something fans will have to stay tuned to know.

If you use any quotes from the first half of the article, please credit the source and give an H/T to Sportskeeda for the transcription.