El Diario Urbano

Category: Deportes

Lionel Messi se pronuncia tras perder en el Mundial 2026 contra España: ‘El dolor es muy grande’

Lionel Messi se pronuncia tras perder en el Mundial 2026 contra España: ‘El dolor es muy grande’

¡Hola !, Tu correo ha sido verficado. Ahora puedes elegir los Boletines que quieras recibir con la mejor información.

Bienvenido , has creado tu cuenta en EL TIEMPO. Conoce y personaliza tu perfil.

Hola {nombre} Verifica tu email {email} para mantener activa tu cuenta y acceder a todos los beneficios. Verificar correo

Enviamos un mensaje de verificación a tu correo {email} Ábrelo y selecciona el enlace de confirmación para activar tu cuenta.

El correo electrónico de verificación se enviará a

clementine@ejemplo.com

Revisa tu bandeja de entrada y si no, en tu carpeta de correo no deseado.

SI, ENVIAR

Ya tienes una cuenta vinculada a EL TIEMPO, por favor inicia sesión con ella y no te pierdas de todos los beneficios que tenemos para tí. Iniciar sesión

Hazme un resumen de las noticias más relevantes.

¿Qué está pasando en Colombia?

¿Qué ocurre en el mundo hoy?

¿Qué pasó en deportes hoy?

El astro argentino envió un mensaje en redes sociales luego de que la selección Argentina perdiera el campeonato contra el equipo rojo.

Lionel Messi Foto: EFE

Luego del intenso partido con el que se clausuró la Copa del Mundo 2026 —con el que España se coronó por segunda vez como campeona del mundo—, Lionel Messi, capitán de la selección argentina que se quedó con la plata, se pronunció en sus redes sociales.

“El dolor es muy grande y va a costar que cierre esta herida. Pero también me quedo con todo lo bueno”, comenzó escribiendo el astro argentino en el mensaje publicado en redes sociales este 20 de julio.

Sigue toda la información de Deportes en Facebook y Twitter, o en nuestra newsletter semanal.

Regístrate en nuestros boletines y recibe noticias en tu correo según tus intereses. Mantente informado con lo que realmente te importa.

Síguenos en GOOGLE NEWS. Mantente siempre actualizado con las últimas noticias coberturas historias y análisis directamente en Google News.

Únete al canal de El Tiempo en WhatsApp para estar al día con las noticias más relevantes al momento.

Mantente informado con la app de EL TIEMPO. Recibe las últimas noticias coberturas historias y análisis directamente en tu dispositivo.

Información confiable para ti. Suscríbete a EL TIEMPO y consulta de forma ilimitada nuestros contenidos periodísticos.

July 20, 2026
Top 100 Players of 2026, No. 60-59: Bo Nix rises, Brock Bowers falls after sophomore seasons

2025 stats: 17 games | 63.4 pct | 3,931 pass yds | 6.4 ypa | 25 pass TD | 11 INT | 356 rush yds | 5 TD | 4 fumbles

No quarterback attempted more passes in 2025 than Nix, who led Denver to the AFC’s top seed and a second straight playoff berth in his second year in the pros. The gamer led the Broncos on a league-high seven game-winning drives last season and piloted them to a thrilling Divisional Round victory over Buffalo, throwing three TDs, including one in the fourth quarter. Unfortunately, Nix injured his ankle setting up Denver’s game-winning field goal in overtime and missed the AFC title game. But before the setback, the former first-round pick did enough in his 18 games played to merit a second ranking within the top 65 in as many NFL seasons.

NFL Pro Insight for Nix: Nix completed a league-leading 77 passes to receivers running hitch routes in the 2025 regular season, totaling 772 yards (only QB over 700).

July 20, 2026
LaMelo Ball looking to unlock potential for new-look Wolves

The No. 1 and No. 3 picks, respectively, in the 2020 NBA Draft, Anthony Edwards and LaMelo Ball are now Minnesota teammates.

LAS VEGAS — This Timberwolves guard has one of the biggest personalities in the NBA. Immensely talented, he lets his team’s fans share in the fun. He’s a nightly highlight, a showman who plays with an obvious exuberance and demands constant defensive attention from opponents to guard against the damage he can do.

And now, so does that Timberwolves guard.

As starting backcourts go, it will be difficult to find a more dynamic and exciting one this season than Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards and LaMelo Ball. Tim Connelly, the Wolves’ president of basketball operations, entered the offseason determined to address his team’s need at point guard.

In landing Ball, though, Connelly was like a guy who needed basic transportation to and from the office coming home with a Maserati.

“He’s a real point guard, which is hard to find,” Connelly said at a news conference last week introducing Ball. “He’s been through a lot. But he’s still only 24 years old [25 next month]. He’s a guy that we think is going to help elevate us, and hopefully we can help elevate him as well.”

Connelly has valued Ball ever since scouting him and Edwards when they were 2020 draftmates. The Wolves took Edwards at No. 1, with Ball going to the Charlotte Hornets two picks later.

He’s been the face of the Hornets ever since. Ball beat out Edwards as the 2020-21 Kia Rookie of the Year and, the following season, beat him to an All-Star selection. In his six NBA seasons, Ball has averaged 20.8 points, 7.3 assists and 1.4 steals, while hoisting 10.4 3-pointers per game over the past four seasons.

“When you look at our team, it’s hard not to be excited about what we have,” Connelly said, even as he was imagining other moves in the time left before training camp opens.

Actually, Minnesota as currently configured is both a have and a have-not. To obtain Ball and address that glaring need for a playmaker, Connelly had to strip away strength at another position.

You know that old saying about robbing Peter to pay Paul? The Wolves have robbed from power forward to land their point guard. Both Julius Randle and Naz Reid were the price paid, the two burly scorers sent out in the trade that, by the time it was announced, had grown to four teams.

That’s the difference between a need and a want.

LaMelo Ball and Josh Green address the media at their Minnesota Timberwolves introductory press conference.

Dating to last season, coach Chris Finch still figured to rely on veteran Mike Conley, then 38, to direct Minnesota’s on-court traffic at pivotal times. Meanwhile, the organization hoped that 20-year-old prospect Rob Dillingham could develop in real time as a point guard for a contending team. When neither the old nor the young proved to be the team’s answer, they went for a Goldilocks choice: Finch and Connelly decided to put the ball in Edwards’ hands more than ever. Then they put shooter Donte DiVincenzo next to him.

Edwards had a stellar season as a scorer, posting 28.8 ppg while shooting career bests of 48.9% overall and 39.9% on 3-pointers. His assists dipped (3.7), which was insufficient given his enhanced role and usage rate. Randle (5 apg) led the team in assists, with DiVincenzo (3.8 apg) at No. 2 last season.

It was a little too much to ask of Edwards. After perking up in 2024-25 as the NBA’s No. 8 offense, Minnesota slid back to middle-of-the-pack status. And after two consecutive trips to the Western Conference Finals, they lost in the semifinals to the San Antonio Spurs. Five straight playoff appearances were nice, given the franchise’s modest postseason history. But backward momentum was not.

Room for Ball to grow in Minnesota

Ball gives the Wolves a point-guard lifer who – depending on his shooters – notches 3.7 assists before halftime most nights. Flamboyant both in look and playing style, the brother of Lonzo and LiAngelo is a willing and creative passer – as well as a practitioner of at least one hasty “oh no” deep-three fling almost every game he plays.

The questions about his durability are real – he has played in 303 of a possible 482 games in his six seasons. But Ball was healthy most of last season and deserves a lot of credit for the Hornets’ second-half surge and 44-38 record (after three seasons in which they were a combined 67-179).

Ball embraced the infusion of four promising rookies, led by Kia Rookie of the Year runner-up Kon Knueppel. He upped his playmaking while taking four fewer shots per game than the previous season. Ball’s scoring average dipped from 25.2 to 20.1, but his net rating flipped into the black at +9.1 after seasons of -3.9, -8.4 and -4.7 from 2022-23 through 2024-25.

So why would the Hornets move off Ball now? Well, he’s owed $130 million over the next three seasons. Charlotte, which also traded Miles Bridges this summer, is getting younger and stockpiling draft assets. And the Hornets believe Coby White, acquired in February from the Bulls, can be their starting point guard.

Finch is enthralled with Ball’s offensive capabilities and said he senses a growing seriousness in his game, same as he does with Edwards. Teaming Ball with veterans focused on a long postseason rather than the SoFi Play-In Tournament or a first-round taste may help, too. As for Ball’s inattention to defense in the past, the Wolves coach anticipates improvement there as well.

“He’s never played with anybody like Rudy behind him,” Finch said.

Rudy, of course, is Rudy Gobert, the four-time Kia Defensive Player of the Year who just earned his ninth All-Defensive honor. Now 34, the 7-foot-1 center remains one of the most formidable rim protectors in league annals. But after relying on putbacks and occasional alley-oops for scoring chances the past two seasons, Gobert is a project for the new point guard as Ball tries to unlock more offensive production from him.

Jaden McDaniels is another Timberwolf who lightens teammates’ defensive loads. He routinely shadows opponents’ most potent perimeter scorers with toughness and the wingspan of a train-crossing gate. Connelly and Finch are convinced McDaniels has untapped offense, based upon his scoring average (14.8 last season) and shot totals (11.1) ticking up for the past three seasons.

Lanky and laconic, the 6-foot-9 McDaniels often had to be nudged to assert himself with the ball. The roster, with Randle as the second option and Reid as sixth-man extraordinaire, had much to do with that.

“It was a usage thing with Jaden,” Finch told NBA.com during a halftime chat last week during Minnesota’s Summer League game against Indiana at Cox Pavilion. “Julius needed the ball. Naz needed the ball.”

McDaniels put up his best shooting line yet (51.5/41.2/83.5), but his 18.2 usage rate ranked sixth among Minnesota’s rotation guys. Ayo Dosunmu moved ahead of him (18.6) after he arrived from Chicago. Overall, McDaniels ranked 230th in usage.

Plugging the current hole at power forward is a task for what remains of the offseason. With money tight – Minnesota is reportedly $4.4 million under the second apron “hard cap” and is limited to offering a $3.9 million veteran minimum exception – landing outside help could be tough.

The basketball staff has talked about alternative solutions from within to cover for big fellas. Smaller lineups utilizing Dosunmu, Josh Green (who came to Minnesota with Ball in the trade), Terrence Shannon Jr. and Jaylen Clark will be tested. Having McDaniels log some minutes at power forward – despite his lean 185 pounds – is on the table too.

Adding Ball to the mix could generate new angles and answers. He frees up Edwards to focus on scoring again, and with Ball’s energy and enthusiasm, the Wolves should be fun to watch even as they’re figuring it out.

* * *

Steve Aschburner has written about the NBA since 1980. You can e-mail him here, find his archive here and follow him on X.

July 20, 2026
The Athletic: Yaxel Lendeborg wins Summer League MVP — and keeps turning heads

The Warriors picked Yaxel Lendeborg at No. 11, and he was named Las Vegas Summer League Championship Game MVP on Sunday.

Editor’s Note: Read more NBA coverage from The Athletic here. The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the NBA or its teams.

***

LAS VEGAS — When the Golden State Warriors selected Yaxel Lendeborg with the 11th pick in last month’s NBA Draft, the 23-year-old still couldn’t quite believe it. For a young man rarely at a loss for words, the pick, by one of the league’s premier franchises, was hard to comprehend.

“Honestly, I didn’t even have any words,” Lendeborg told The Athletic at the beginning of his Las Vegas Summer League run. “I was just in such shock at the fact that these guys actually took a chance on me. When I worked out here, they were super nice. They were telling me everything I wanted to hear — but a lot of the teams were doing that, so I didn’t know if it was gonna be true or not.

“These guys actually believed in me, so I’m like, ‘Man, I really have the opportunity to play in the NBA for a prestigious organization like this.’ It’s like, ‘Damn, I can’t believe this.’ It was just an emotional time for me. The only words I had was just my tears, in a way.”

Lendeborg’s emotions were present again Sunday night in the form of a big smile across his face, as he earned Las Vegas Summer League Championship Game MVP honors. Lendeborg, who acknowledged after the draft that he was hopeful the Warriors would take him, finished with 21 points and 10 rebounds in a 94-90 Golden State win over the Memphis Grizzlies and No. 3 pick Cameron Boozer.

Now that his dream has become a reality in recent weeks, he’s made a solid first impression on his new team. His shot, the one that helped him become a first-team All-American last season at the University of Michigan, looks ready-made to help immediately. Lendeborg has a comfort level from the outside that usually takes young players years to grow within their respective games.

Lendeborg isn’t the typical rookie, given that he will be 24 once the season begins, but he also carries himself differently than most young players in that he doesn’t shy away from the spotlight and isn’t afraid to say whatever is on his mind. There is an ease within his game that he brings to the floor in the way he finds his shot in the rhythm of the offense. He has a laid-back nature off the floor that should serve well within the framework of the Warriors’ veteran-laden locker room.

When asked if there was a player he watched as he matured within his own game and hoped he could model himself after, Lendeborg’s answer was the man the Warriors are still hoping to land this season.

“I definitely would have to go with LeBron,” Lendeborg said. “He’s been doing that at the highest level since he was, like, 10. And he’s had so much adversity on his back. He’s the reason why I don’t believe that pressure’s real. He said it in an interview, and just the way he said it, it’s, like, maybe it really isn’t real.

“Maybe I’m just playing myself with this. He really motivates me.”

Like James, Lendeborg uses his physicality to overwhelm smaller opponents at times. That became clear as soon as the 6-foot-9, 240-pound big man debuted in the California Classic earlier this month and showed that there were other NBA-ready facets to his game. He continues to get reps as a secondary playmaker and wants to grow in that role to help take pressure off his new teammates as another option with the ball. His size should also allow him to become more comfortable down low as a rebounder, aside from what he can do offensively.

After watching Lendeborg’s summer games, one of the biggest questions involves how he will do defensively in his first NBA season. Even at his size, Lendeborg didn’t impose his defensive will on the Vegas games. Whether that becomes a recurring trend during the season or just a factor of playing against less-talented individual competition remains to be seen. What’s clear is that Warriors personnel have quickly grown to appreciate Lendeborg and are confident he will make the requisite improvements in his game as the season rolls along, including on the defensive end.

“From the day I met him, right after the draft up until now, he’s been very open to coaching and wanting to be coached and wanting to know how he can get better,” Warriors summer-league coach Khalid Robinson said. “He’s a very coachable guy. When you sit down and watch film with him, he’s very attentive — he asks questions — so it’s exactly what you want from a young player trying to grow in his game.”

Speaking of other young players who want to grow their respective games, second-year guard LJ Cryer looks poised to take the role of Pat Spencer this season. Spencer signed a two-way deal with the Phoenix Suns earlier this summer after earning a standard contract with the Warriors midway through last season.

Cryer is an NBA-level scorer with the ability to provide a spark off Steve Kerr’s bench after spending most of last season with the Santa Cruz Warriors in the G League. As Cryer noted prior to the beginning of summer league, his biggest key is continuing to stay healthy after missing a chunk of NBA games last season because of a hamstring injury. He said he has changed his diet and is hoping to stay on the floor more this year.

“When I’m healthy, I’m able to help the team,” Cryer said of the message he got from the coaching staff at the end of last season. “It was a lot of guys unavailable this year, and with me being a younger guy, I just got to be more available. Then, just build off what I did last year, continue to make shots and be more confident in my game offensively.”

A hamstring injury got in the way of LJ Cryer’s opportunity for success last season. He’s hoping good health will be key in the Warriors turning things around for 2026-27.

Aside from Lendeborg’s and Cryer’s emergences, Malevy Leons was another player who had some nice moments during his summer-league run. Leons will never put up eye-popping numbers in a box score, but he plays hard on both ends of the floor and makes a difference in his ability to impact the game in a variety of areas. He’ll likely bounce back and forth between the NBA and the G League, but he figures to gain even more trust from Kerr as the season plays out.

Second-year guard Will Richard has noticeably bulked up since last season ended. He’s also been open about hitting a wall at the end of his first season and needing to push through it. He earned Kerr’s trust early last year, but he’s got to show he can contribute every night at the NBA level.

Gonzaga big man Graham Ike looks as if he can play in the league at some point. But now that the Warriors have signed Charles Bassey for big-man depth, Ike looks as if he’s going to have to work his way up from the G League.

While second-round picks are usually on the fringes of any team, Lajae Jones really struggled to make much of an impact in his first few weeks as a pro. The late second-rounder looked a little overwhelmed in his first few summer-league games and still has to show what his NBA skill set will be. He played a little better near the end of his Vegas run, but he figures to spend a lot of time in the G League.

The good news for the Warriors in their summer run is Lendeborg looks like he can play, which is a positive sign for a veteran team that needs him to find his footing quickly. Like he did last year, Kerr will need to lean on his younger guys to play a lot of minutes when the veterans sit. Lendeborg appears ready for the challenge and is looking forward to doing whatever he can to help his new team.

“For me, I’m gonna do anything that the team needs,” Lendeborg said. “As for right now, for this specific team, it’s more so being a secondary playmaker, hitting open 3s when needed obviously and just taking the pressure off some of the older guys. Steph (Curry), I know he gets double-teamed, triple-teamed, fouled, hacked all the time. So it’s, like, maybe (in) the chance when he gets tired, I can relieve that pressure for him.

“So, just trying to be an easy outlet in a way. Do whatever’s needed.”

***

Nick Friedell is a Senior Writer for The Athletic covering the Golden State Warriors and the NBA. Nick spent 14 years at ESPN covering the NBA, most notably as a reporter as well as a TV and radio commentator. He is a graduate of The Newhouse School at Syracuse University. Follow Nick on X @NickFriedell.

July 20, 2026
Polémica por premio de mejor jugador del Mundial a Rodri, campeón con España : revelador ranking

España ganó con autoridad el Mundial 2026, después de firmar grandes exhibiciones y de dominar en la final a Argentina, al que venció en tiempo extra por 1-0, con gol de Ferrán.

La segunda corona de su historia desató una ola de euforia en las principales ciudades de españolas, donde las celebraciones se extendieron hasta la madrugada de este lunes.

El partido terminó llegando al tiempo añadido pero, según dijo el técnico campeón Luis de la Fuente, debió resolverse antes en el tiempo regular de no ser por el gran trabajo del arquero Emiliano ‘Dibu’ Martínez, quien fue la figura dle compromiso y el responsabel de que Argentina llegara, con diez hombres, a soñar con la definición por penaltis.

Polémica por premio a Rodri

Pero en medio de las celebraciones llamó la atención un detalle y fue la elección de la Fifa del mejor jugador del certamen, el ganador del premio Golden Ball.

Quien subió a la tarima a recibirlo fue Rodri, mediocampista que fue alma y nervio del seleccionado español durante toda la competencia.

Durante la ceremonia los hinchas en el estadio de New Jersey, en su mayoría argentinos, protestaron y corearon el nombre de Lionel Messi, quien permanecía en el campo , entre lágrimas tras la disputa de su último Mundial.

Lionel Messi Foto:EFE

Y no les faltaba razón pues Messi fue el de mejor rendimiento a lo largo del certamen, según el ranking de Sofascore, publicado por Futbolred.

Según la fuente, el argentino registró una calificación promedio de 8.80, la más alta de todo el torneo, consolidando su peso deportivo a los 39 años.

El capitán anotó 8 goles y peleó hasta el final el premio de máximo goleador, que finalmente le arrebató el francés Kylian Mbappé (10 tantos).

Ranking destacó a otros jugadores

Precisamente Mbappé fue el segundo mejor calificado, con una puntuación de 8,24.

El tercero fue el brasileño Vinícius Júnior, cuya nota fue de 8 puntos, a pesar de no haber superado los octavos de final.

El cuarto lugar del listado fue para el francés Ousmane Dembélé, con un puntaje de 7,91, seguido por Erling Haaland, goleador y referente de Noruega, con una puntuación de 7,90

La clasificación también incluyó a los arqueros, destacando en el sexto lugar al paraguayo Orlando Gill, con una nota de 7,88, mismo puntaje de Vozinha, la figura de Cabo Verde que terminó siendo el jugador más mediático del Mundial.

Vozinha saluda a los aficionados tras uno de sus partidos en el Mundial 2026. Foto:Getty Images

En la octava casilla apareció el inglés Jude Bellingham (7,81) y en la novena el marfileño Amad Diallo (7,78).

Hay que ir hasta el décimo lugar para encontrar al ganador del Golden Ball, ele spañol Rodri, con una calificación de 7,78.

Este es el ranking de Sofascore:

1. Lionel Messi (Argentina) – 8.80

2. Kylian Mbappé (Francia) – 8.24

3. Vinícius Júnior (Brasil) – 8.00

4. Ousmane Dembélé (Francia) – 7.91

5. Erling Haaland (Noruega) – 7.90

6. Orlando Gill (Paraguay) – 7.88

7. Vozinha (Cabo Verde) – 7.88

8. Jude Bellingham (Inglaterra) – 7.81

9. Amad Diallo (Costa de Marfil) – 7.78

10. Rodri (España) – 7.78

Rodri terminó inclinando la balanza a su favor tras coronarse campeón del Mundial 2026, pero evidentemente, en cuanto a rendimiento, hubo otros en consideración que hicieron un gran campeonato.

July 20, 2026
¿Por qué se originó la pelea de Leandro Paredes en la final del Mundial? Video del puño que le pegó Nahuel Molina a Rodri tras el España vs. Argentina

La selección de España bordó este domingo la segunda estrella en su escudo tras vencer a Argentina (1-0) en la final de la Copa del Mundo 2026, que terminó en una violenta pelea entre varios jugadores de ambos planteles. Leandro Paredes agredió a Eric García y después a Gavi, pero la gresca se originó por un puño que le propinó Nahuel Molina a Rodri Hernández en medio de los festejos.

Ferran Torres se metió en la historia de la selección española al marcar el único tanto de la final del Mundial 2026, que le permitió al equipo de Luis de la Fuente quedarse con la corona en Norteamérica.

Ferrán Torres Foto:EFE

El origen de la pelea

Después del silbatazo del árbitro esloveno Slavko Vinčić, se formó una violenta gresca entre varios jugadores españoles y argentinos en el terreno de juego, pero un video que salió a la luz tras la final reveló el origen del conflicto.

En el momento en que el juez terminó el partido, los jugadores de la selección de España corrieron hacia un costado del terreno de juego. Rodri Hernández, que fue sustituido en el tiempo extra, salió despedido del banco de los suplentes para festejar con sus compañeros, pero en el camino Nahuel Molina lo golpeó.

Gol es España Foto:EFE

El lateral derecho argentino, que fue uno de los culpables en el gol de Ferran Torres al dejarse ganar la espalda por Nico Williams, le propinó un puño en el pecho a Rodri cuando este pasó por su lado. El capitán de España, que minutos después levantó la Copa del Mundo, lo encaró y ahí surgió el conflicto.

Leandro Paredes perdió los papeles

Molina se le fue encima a Rodri en medio del reclamo e intentó agredirlo una vez más. Ahí apareció Eric García a defender a su capitán y después, mientras el juez de línea trataba de calmar los ánimos, Leandro Paredes le llegó por la espalda al defensor del Barcelona y lo lanzó al suelo con una patada y un empujón.

Agresión de Leandro Paredes Foto:EFE

Eric García se levantó y le dijo algo en la cara a Paredes, quien volvió a reaccionar de mala manera, lo agarró por el cuello y trató de ahorcarlo, lo que desató la bronca de varios futbolistas y la intervención de Lionel Scaloni.

Gavi apareció en la escena y se le fue encima a Paredes. Trató de agredir al defensor de su compañero. Thiago Almada intentó calmar al joven centrocampista español, pero le aplicó una tacleada para lanzarlo al suelo ante la mirada de Walter Samuel, asistente técnico de Argentina.

Agresión de Leandro Paredes Foto:EFE

Estando en el suelo, Paredes empezó a agredir a Gavi y tuvo que ser frenado por su técnico Scaloni, quien apareció para calmar los humos y evitar que la gresca creciera.

DEPORTES

July 20, 2026
Colston Loveland: Focus on Bears-Packers rivalry similar to Michigan-Ohio State

Johnson ignited the flames of the Bears-Packers rivalry, taking a page from Harbaugh. From the moment he was hired, the Bears coach has tossed fire at his Wisconsin counterparts. First, it was the barb about beating Matt LaFleur during his run in Detroit. Then came the further quips, brisk handshakes and blunt words about detesting the Packers.

Harbaugh’s focus on The Game in Ann Arbor helped Michigan flip an eight-game losing skid versus its rivals to a four-game win streak from 2021-24. Loveland was around for the final three of those tilts (participating in two — 2022-23; he missed 2024 with an injury). Johnson lost his first game against the Pack, but followed it up with back-to-back victories, including a 31-27 wild-card comeback victory.

“Everyone’s only talking about the Packers,” Loveland said. “You can’t go a day without talking about them, talking about beating them, talking about the bad things. So, it’s very comparable [to Michigan].”

July 20, 2026
Broncos RB RJ Harvey watching film of CMC, Jahmyr Gibbs, Kenneth Walker to improve in Year 2

Harvey got off to a slow start in his rookie campaign, with J.K. Dobbins taking the bulk of the reps. Through the first 10 games, Harvey took five or fewer carries seven times. Following Dobbins’ season-ending injury, the rookie took on a bigger role and created some big plays, but was mostly inconsistent, averaging 3.4 yards per attempt in the final seven games and 3.0 YPC in two postseason tilts.

Denver’s re-signing of Dobbins and drafting of Jonah Coleman in the fourth round highlighted the Broncos’ desire to continue with a committee approach. Harvey could play a greater role as a pass catcher in a Joker-type position in Sean Payton’s offense. Watching film on dual threats like CMC, Gibbs and Super Bowl MVP Walker could help the second-year pro carve out a bigger role if he can translate that film into production.

July 20, 2026
Top 100 Players of 2026, No. 60: Raiders TE Brock Bowers falls 36 spots in return to ranking

2025 stats: 12 games | 64 rec | 680 rec yds | 10.6 ypr | 7 rec TD

After a historic rookie season, Bowers didn’t quite hit those heights in a sophomore effort curtailed from the start by knee troubles. But the dynamic tight end still made a second consecutive Pro Bowl team and had breakout moments during a lost campaign for him and the Raiders. His standout showing came in his return from injury in Week 9, when he was targeted on more than a third of his 36 routes, hauling in 12 receptions for 127 yards and three scores in a narrow loss to playoff-bound Jacksonville. After a coaching and offensive overhaul, Las Vegas will hope for more of that from Bowers in Year 3 — and potentially a third straight Top 100 ranking.

NFL Pro Insight for Bowers: Bowers has 176 receptions in 29 career games, the most by any tight end in NFL history over his first two career seasons.

July 20, 2026
Starting 5: Warriors rally for NBA Summer League title
Warriors rally past Grizzlies to win the 2026 NBA Summer League Championship behind MVP Yaxel Lendeborg on July 19.

Summer standout. Golden finale.

No. 11 pick Yaxel Lendeborg and the Warriors are the 2026 NBA Summer League champions.

5 STORIES IN TODAY’S EDITION 🏀

Warriors Win Vegas: Golden State rallies to beat Memphis in thriller for NBA Summer League title

Sunday Roundup: Nets & Nuggets get wins to close out the 2026 summer circuit

Top 10 Lookback: How the rookies at the top of the 2026 Draft class fared in Vegas

Summer League Snapshots: A few standout frames from 11 days in the desert

Peach Jam Finals: Class of 2027’s Cayden Daughtry stars on championship weekend

BUT FIRST … ⏰

Official: The Hawks have acquired Lu Dort and Ryan Nembhard in a three-team trade that sends Zaccharie Risacher to the Mavericks and three second-round Draft picks to the Thunder.

1. LENDEBORG LIFTS WARRIORS LATE TO WIN NBA SUMMER LEAGUE TITLE

Champions in any season.

Yaxel Lendeborg won an NCAA national championship in April…

The Golden State Warriors have three NBA titles in the last 10 years…

Together, they added to their accolades Sunday night with an NBA Summer League championship.

Warriors 94, Grizzlies 90: Lendeborg scored 9 of his 21 points in the 4th quarter to help Golden State erase Memphis’ game-high 12-point lead, a rally capped by his personal 7-0 run in under 90 seconds, to put the Dubs back in front for good and claim the title. | Recap | Summer League Hub
- Other Ways To Win: After his scoring outburst, Lendeborg pulled down two key final-minute rebounds to help Golden State stay in control, stacking up 7 of his 10 boards in the 4th. The Warriors also had a 16-4 rebounding advantage in that frame.
- “Yaxel Lendeborg is kinda making me rethink my MVP vote … let me change that right now,” ESPN’s Corey Alexander said during the broadcast as the Warriors rook’s late-game dominance helped him earn MVP honors
- “I’m just very proud of this moment. I’m glad that we got to win this,” Lendeborg said. “Every game I play I have something to prove to myself and to all those who doubted me, and those who don’t believe in me.”
- When asked about his rookie goals earlier this week, Lendeborg said: “I don’t really have any, like, MVP kinda [goals]. I just wanna be a role model to the kids … trying to be as simple as possible.”
Lendeborg’s 21 points and 10 boards matched his Vegas-highs, with teammate Deivon Smith (21 pts, 9 reb) joining him as the game’s leading scorers to bring the Dubs their first Vegas title since the inaugural NBA Summer League championship in 2013.
- Sophomore Sparks: Warriors returners LJ Cryer (15 pts, 6 ast, 4 3s) and Will Richard (13 pts, 3 3s) had solid outings, with Cryer hitting the clutch final free throw to seal the win
- “In a game like this where we had to make a 10-point 4th-quarter comeback … they support each other, and that’s what the Warriors of the past 12 years have been about,” Warriors Summer League coach Khalid Robinson said
- Grizz Leaders: No. 3 overall pick Cameron Boozer (19 pts, 8 reb, 3 3s) and returner Cedric Coward (19 pts, 6 reb) fueled Memphis, with Coward going 5-for-5 from 3
- “I think we take a lot from this week,” Boozer said postgame. “That toughness, pushing through adversity, shows a lot about the character of the guys on our team and there’s a lot we can take into the regular season.”
- Rookie Rivalry: No. 11 pick Lendeborg and Boozer finish the summer 1-1 against each other, after Boozer’s Duke squad defeated Lendeborg’s Wolverines in a top-3 ranked matchup back in February
Lendeborg is the second player to win an NCAA national championship and an NBA Summer League championship in the same year, joining Davion Mitchell (Baylor, Kings) in 2021, per ESPN.

Now, Lendeborg has set his sights on his rookie year ahead.

“I’m gonna bring a lot of energy,” he said. “I’m gonna be the most energetic-playing guy on the floor every night. I’m gonna try to bring as many positive vibes as possible.”

2. ROUNDUP: NETS, NUGGETS CLOSE SUMMER LEAGUE WITH WINS

Four other teams wrapped up their 2026 Summer League stints on Sunday.

Nets 108, Thunder 90: Undrafted rookie Dion Brown notched a triple-double (16 pts, 10 reb, 11 ast) as Brooklyn jumped out to a 37-24 1st-quarter lead and never looked back to finish 3-2. | Recap
- Brooklyn Bounce: Seven Nets scored in double figures, led by 2026 G League Slam Dunk champion John Ukomadu (23 pts), who threw down a soaring two-handed jam
- Thunder Rain: Steven Ashworth led OKC with 22 points on four 3s
Nuggets 96, Raptors 89: Three-year vet Jahmi’us Ramsey went 9-for-9 overall en route to a game-high 20 points as Denver outlasted Nimari Burnett (15 pts, 9 reb) and Toronto to win. | Recap

3. SUMMER LEAGUE SPOTLIGHT: THE TOP 10 PICKS IN VEGAS

After hearing their names called at the NBA Draft, the 2026 rookie class had little time to relish the achievement.

Just 16 days after that dream-fulfilling moment, NBA Summer League tipped off in Las Vegas, putting the latest group of draftees in the spotlight.

Here’s a look at how the top 10 picks performed over the past 11 days.

No. 1 AJ Dybantsa (Wizards): Dybantsa announced his arrival with a thunderous jam en route to 27 points in his Vegas opener, tying Blake Griffin for the most by a No. 1 pick in a Summer League debut.

Dybantsa closed Vegas averaging 25 points, 7 boards, 2.5 steals and 1.5 blocks across two games – both of which resulted in wins.

No. 2 Darryn Peterson (Jazz): After leading the Salt Lake City Summer League in scoring (26.5 ppg), Peterson further showcased his offensive bag in Vegas, posting 20.7 ppg in three outings, with a blend of smooth driving buckets, stepback treys and one epic poster.

No. 3 Cameron Boozer (Grizzlies): Boozer was a force inside while leading Memphis to the Summer League championship game, averaging a near double-double in six games (18.5 pts, 8 reb). The bruising big also showcased his feel as a playmaker, recording 3.7 assists per game.

No. 4 Caleb Wilson (Bulls): Speaking of all-around game, Caleb Wilson did it all in Vegas (23.5 pts, 7.3 reb, 1.3 stl, 2.5 blk), starting with a record-breaking 35-point eruption in his debut, before throwing down perhaps the dunk of the summer one game later.

To top it all off? He shot 41.9% from deep – including seven made 3s in his debut – and finished Vegas with 10 blocks in four games.

No. 5 Keaton Wagler (Clippers): The sharpshooter from Illinois netted 20+ points in his final two games and saved his best for last, dropping 26 on Friday to lead LA to an OT dub.

No. 6 Mikel Brown Jr. (Nets): Brown Jr. showcased his playmaking in the California Classic – including this highlight-reel dime – and carried that momentum into Vegas, averaging 16.7 points and 4 assists in three games.

No. 7 Darius Acuff Jr. (Kings): The electrifying guard displayed what made him so dangerous at Arkansas, posting 19 points and 5.3 dimes per game, including a 26-point takeover on Wednesday where he dropped 16 in a single quarter.

No. 8 Kingston Flemings (Hawks): Atlanta went 3-0 with Flemings on the floor in Vegas, and his playmaking was a major reason why, leading Atlanta with 6.5 assists per game while posting a +11 plus-minus.

No. 9 Morez Johnson (Mavericks): Johnson’s two-way versatility helped power Michigan to a national title in April, and it shined in his two Vegas outings (18.5 pts, 6.5 reb, 2.5 stl, 3 blk).

No. 10 Brayden Burries (Bucks): Burries delivered through the final buzzer in Vegas (23.5 pts, 4.5 reb, 2 stl, 1 blk in 4 GP), closing with three straight 23+ point games, including a 27-point, 5-assist clinic – capped by the game-winning layup with 1.5 ticks left – in Milwaukee’s Summer League finale.

4. SUMMER LEAGUE SNAPSHOTS: SOME FRAMES FROM VEGAS

From record debuts to electrifying posters, 2026 NBA Summer League gave us plenty to remember.

Before we turn the page, look back at the Vegas circuit through a few of our favorite frames.

5. NIKE EYBL PEACH JAM FINALS: CAYDEN DAUGHTRY SHINES FOR FLORIDA REBELS

After meeting the NBA’s next wave of incoming talent in Las Vegas this month, it’s time to get to know more of the future.

The 2026 Nike EYBL Peach Jam, one of the nation’s premier events on the high school prospect circuit, wrapped up this weekend in Augusta, S.C.

The quarterfinals and semifinals were held on Saturday before a champion was crowned Sunday. Catch up on the weekend’s winning moments here:
- Daughtry Does It All: 17U division scoring leader Cayden Daughtry broke up this play and then got the breakaway slam as his Florida Rebels beat Team CP3
- Magical Make: Beckham Black, Magic guard Anthony Black’s younger brother, sank this crafty finish at the rim for AB Elite
- Final Say: But Gabriel Nesmith helped his Nightrydas team send Black and AB Elite home with this clutch 3-pointer with under 15 seconds to play
Later on Saturday in the Semis, Daughtry kept rolling (32 pts) to push the Florida Rebels past Team Herro and into the Championship, while Drive Nation claimed the weekend’s most dominant win, 62-48 over Nightrydas.

Championship Sunday got started with the 16U division:
- Founder, Rebounder: Team CP3 got warm for their title fight with an assist from NBA legend Chris Paul, but it was Team Final who took the 16U trophy
- In the 15U final, Arizona Unity’s Marquice Pless ran away with this steal-and-slam, but Mokan Elite claimed the crown
- For the main event, Daughtry (game-high 33 pts, 9 reb, 6 ast, 3 3s) wouldn’t be denied, cementing the Florida Rebels as the 2026 Nike EYBL Peach Jam champs
NBA.com’s Krysten Peek has more on Daughtry’s run and other high school prospect action:

“No player has had a more impactful summer than Daughtry…

“Daughtry made history when he set the Peach Jam single-game scoring record after recording 43 points in the 84-83 loss to the New York Rens in one of the craziest Peach Jam games in recent memory…

‘Obviously I’m a little tired,’ Daughtry said. ‘But just knowing that I’m here for a bigger reason, my coaches and my teammates, and I just want to win so I’m going to do whatever that takes no matter how I’m feeling.’

“He went on to average 34.8 points per game, shattering the Peach Jam record that was previously held by Cam Thomas (29.5).” | Read More

Want to share Starting 5 with a friend? Send them this link.

Shape the Starting 5. Email us here.

Don’t have the NBA App? Download it here.
July 20, 2026