Portland Trail Blazers guard Shaedon Sharpe is expected to miss six months of the 2026-27 NBA season after suffering a torn right meniscus during an offseason workout.
The 23-year-old sustained the severe knee injury in recent weeks, dealing a significant blow to the Western Conference franchise before the new campaign begins.
Despite averaging an impressive 20.8 points per game last term, the explosive scorer missed a large portion of the season due to a stress fracture in his left fibula.
Veteran additions provide crucial depth
To mitigate this prolonged absence, Portland will rely heavily on their exceptionally experienced backcourt.
The presence of Ja Morant, Damian Lillard and Jrue Holiday ensures the Oregon-based organisation maintains elite guard depth.
This veteran trio must now shoulder the offensive burden while their highly-rated team-mate focuses on an extensive rehabilitation programme.
Lucrative contract extension begins
This latest physical setback arrives at a highly frustrating time for the former first-round draft pick.
A lucrative four-year, $90m (£71m) contract extension agreed last year officially commences this season.
He is scheduled to earn approximately $20m (£15.9m) during the 2026-27 campaign while recovering from this devastating injury.
Harvey Elliott appears to have played his final game for Liverpool after being omitted from Andoni Iraola’s squad for Sunday’s 2-2 draw at Newcastle United.
The Spanish head coach began his tenure on Merseyside with a hard-fought Premier League point at St James’ Park.
However, the complete absence of the 23-year-old attacking midfielder from the travelling party has sparked major doubts over his Anfield future.
Struggles in a demanding new system
The former Bournemouth manager demands relentless running and high-intensity pressing from all his players.
Doubts have reportedly emerged over whether the ex-Fulham youngster possesses the physical attributes required to thrive in this rigorous tactical setup.
He previously endured a dismal season-long loan spell at Aston Villa last term, making just nine appearances.
Upon returning to Merseyside this summer, the boyhood Reds fan failed to make a significant impact during pre-season preparations.
It is understood he has now fallen significantly behind academy talent Lewis Koumas in the first-team pecking order.
Transfer window decisions looming
Time is rapidly running out for the out-of-favour playmaker to secure a move elsewhere, with the transfer window set to close next week.
During the club’s recent pre-season tour, the versatile midfielder admitted he may need to prioritise his own career development over sentiment.
“I’m still wanting to be selfish, doing what’s right for me.”
“Whether that’s staying here and fighting for my place or potentially going elsewhere, I’m still unsure at the moment until I get some more intel.”
With defensive frailties ruthlessly exposed by Anthony Elanga and Joe Willock on Tyneside, the new manager clearly has alternative priorities to address.
Targets such as Bradley Barcola and Yankuba Minteh continue to be heavily linked as the recruitment team looks to bolster the wider squad.
For the former England youth international, a permanent departure now seems the most likely conclusion to his seven-year association with the club.
Nottingham Forest are nearing an agreement to sign striker Liam Delap from Chelsea in a deal potentially worth £50m.
The forward was notably omitted from the Blues’ matchday squad for their opening Premier League fixture against Fulham.
He only arrived at Stamford Bridge last summer after the West London club activated his release clause following Ipswich Town’s relegation to the Championship.
However, the attacker has struggled to establish himself as a regular starter in the capital.
Forest beat rivals to signature
The East Midlands outfit appear to have successfully fended off significant domestic competition to secure the transfer.
Everton and Leeds United had also registered strong interest in acquiring the out-of-favour frontman during the current transfer window.
The former Ipswich talisman is understood to be keen on the switch to the City Ground in search of consistent first-team football.
High valuation met
Sources suggest the Stamford Bridge hierarchy placed a substantial £50m asking price on their departing asset.
A successful transfer would provide a major boost to Forest’s attacking options as they look to consolidate their top-flight status this season.
Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has omitted Nicolas Jackson and Mykhailo Mudryk from his first Premier League squad against Fulham ahead of Tuesday’s transfer deadline.
The newly appointed Spanish boss selected Romeo Lavia and Josh Acheampong in his inaugural starting XI at Craven Cottage.
However, the complete absence of several established first-team figures provided the biggest talking point of the afternoon in west London.
Alongside Jackson and Mudryk, the Blues also left Marc Guiu, Tosin Adarabioyo and Dario Essugo entirely out of the matchday setup.
Attacking duo attract widespread interest
Senegal international Jackson is reportedly available for permanent transfer, with the club demanding a fee in the region of £65m.
Aston Villa are closely monitoring the 23-year-old striker as a potential replacement for Ollie Watkins, who is heavily linked with Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian winger Mudryk is not for sale but is expected to leave Stamford Bridge on a temporary basis to secure regular football.
Coventry City and Leeds United have both expressed strong interest in acquiring the lightning-fast attacker on loan.
Despite the Yorkshire club being the former Shakhtar Donetsk player’s preferred destination, Chelsea officials insist talks with Leeds have been definitively terminated.
Clearing out the Stamford Bridge fringes
The sweeping squad changes highlight a decisive approach from Alonso to trim his roster before the window shuts at 23:00 BST next Tuesday.
Teenage Spanish forward Guiu has also been made available for permanent transfer with an asking price set at £25m.
Centre-back Tosin is currently exploring alternative options across Europe after being informed he does not feature in the new manager’s immediate plans.
Portuguese midfielder Essugo represents another likely temporary departure, with Chelsea’s sister club Strasbourg emerging as a viable destination in Ligue 1.
However, the French outfit would only be permitted to sign either Essugo or Mudryk on loan from their parent club due to strict multi-club ownership regulations.
Undisputed champion Katie Taylor has confirmed she will conclude her historic boxing career against Flora Pili at Croke Park on 5 September.
A capacity crowd of 80,000 is expected at the Dublin stadium to witness the Olympic gold medallist bow out on home soil.
The Irishwoman is set to hang up her gloves following a storied journey that transformed the landscape of women’s sport globally.
A fitting finale for a trailblazer
The Bray-born fighter famously began her amateur career by pretending to be a boy in order to compete at local boxing clubs.
She subsequently secured gold at the 2012 London Olympics before dominating the professional ranks and becoming a two-weight undisputed world champion.
Her legacy also includes a legendary trilogy of bouts against Puerto Rican rival Amanda Serrano, cementing her status as a generational talent.
Speaking about her imminent retirement, the former Republic of Ireland international footballer expressed her delight at finally securing a stadium event.
“This is the fairy-tale end I always wanted and I can’t believe it’s actually happening.”
Celebrating an unprecedented legacy
Promoter Eddie Hearn and a dedicated coaching team have guided the trailblazing athlete throughout a professional journey that shattered glass ceilings.
To commemorate her impending retirement, a special tribute publication is being released in August to document her remarkable sporting achievements.
The souvenir edition features insights from former opponents, including the sole woman to defeat the phenomenal champion in the professional arena.
As she steps between the ropes for one final time, the lightweight icon will look to sign off a peerless career with a definitive victory.
San Francisco 49ers owner Jed York has pleaded no contest to two misdemeanor charges following his arrest in Ohio on suspicion of engaging in prostitution.
East Palestine Police apprehended the NFL executive on Sunday before the initial charge was amended as part of a legal agreement.
According to Columbiana court records, the local prosecutor officially filed the plea deal on Monday morning.
Fines and time served
The Youngstown native accepted amended charges of misdemeanor disorderly conduct and possessing criminal tools.
He was subsequently ordered to pay $1,150 in total fines across the two offences.
A judge also sentenced him to one day in jail for each charge, which is already considered to have been served.
Long-standing tenure in California
The Ohio-born businessman has operated as the chief executive officer for the prominent West Coast franchise since 2008.
He recently elevated his executive status to become the majority owner of the team earlier in 2024.
The historic five-time Super Bowl champions have reached multiple finals under his leadership but await their first championship of his tenure.
Former Chelsea captain John Terry claims William Saliba will lose his Arsenal place following the club’s recent signing of defender Ezri Konsa.
The French international missed the opening game of the current campaign after undergoing surgery for a back issue.
In his absence, manager Mikel Arteta deployed Cristhian Mosquera, while fellow defender Piero Hincapie remained on the bench.
The Gunners bolstered their defensive ranks last week by completing a transfer for Konsa from Aston Villa.
Terry backs massive signing
Terry worked alongside the England international during his time on the coaching staff at Villa Park.
Speaking online, the former Blues skipper stated the new arrival is the best value signing of the summer transfer window.
“I think even when William Saliba is back fit, he doesn’t get back in the Arsenal team, I think Ezri Konsa is that good.”
“I worked with him at Aston Villa and he’s so aggressive but also happy to play on the halfway line because if it goes in behind he’s quick enough to get there and recover.”
Arteta seeks defensive improvement
Saliba has established himself as a cornerstone of the Arsenal defence over the past four seasons.
The 25-year-old was pivotal last year as the North London club finally ended their long wait to be crowned Premier League champions.
However, Arteta insists the addition of the former Villa man was necessary to compete with rival squads.
“We just look to improve and do what’s right for us, and look at players we already have who can improve us.”
“Ezri is certainly a player we really liked in the defensive line.”
Konsa ready for versatile role
During his time in the Midlands, the versatile defender helped Unai Emery’s side lift the Europa League trophy.
The new arrival is confident his ball-playing abilities will perfectly suit the tactical demands at Emirates Stadium.
“I like to build up from the back and I like to have a lot of the ball. It’s Mikel’s style and from what I’ve seen from games, it’s the same way the defenders here play.”
“It’s good being versatile. I can do both jobs, right-back and centre-back, but for me ultimately, wherever the manager wants to put me is, I’ll always do a job and do my best.”
The Houston Astros have dismissed general manager Dana Brown despite the franchise currently sitting at the top of the American League West.
The Major League Baseball franchise announced the departure on Monday, ending a tenure that officially began when the executive was appointed in January 2023.
Although they hold a divisional lead, the Texas-based outfit have slumped to a losing record of 65-66 following defeats in six of their past eight matches.
His current employment agreement had been due to expire at the conclusion of the ongoing regular season.
Crane and Bagwell to oversee transition
Owner and chairman Jim Crane will take immediate charge of baseball operations while the organisation navigates this unexpected transitional period.
Day-to-day front office responsibilities will be shared among assistant general managers Charles Cook, Gavin Dickey and Connor Huff.
Senior adviser and Hall of Fame inductee Jeff Bagwell is also set to take on an expanded leadership role.
Mutual appreciation upon departure
Crane expressed gratitude for the outgoing executive’s efforts in scouting, drafting and player development over recent campaigns.
“Over the past four seasons, Dana has helped our organization win two division titles and has led our baseball front office through key scouting, draft and development efforts. On behalf of the Astros, I want to thank him for his commitment, energy, and contributions to our organization.”
Jim Crane
The former general manager reflected positively on his time with the perennial World Series contenders.
“The Astros organization and the fans have welcomed me and my family, and I am grateful to have called Houston home for the past four seasons. I wish the organization well and I look forward to the future as I continue my 36-plus years in professional baseball.”
Dana Brown