Sports
'Surprise surprise:' The stage is set for D'Angelo Russell's career year
Who knew D’Angelo Russell would deliver the best moment from Lakers media day?
The smart money Monday probably would’ve been bet on LeBron James talking about playing with his son, Bronny. Maybe you’d have splashed some down on Anthony Davis talking about trying to win his first defensive player of the year or Austin Reaves knocking down some wild offseason rumor about a beef with Travis Kelce.
Instead, it was Russell, the Lakers’ point guard, who strode to the microphone in the middle of the media-day lineup with the perfect punchline.
“Surprise surprise,” he said to reporters — a reminder that maybe not everyone expected he’d be back for the occasion.
For all of what Russell is and has been, Monday was possibly his most self-aware, poking fun at his frequent stints on the trade block, owning his supreme confidence on the offensive end and his struggles on the other side of the court.
He even, unsolicited, apologized.
“Honestly, I really want to apologize in the sense of showing a lack of professionalism at times. Showing a lack of team-first perception at times,” he said. “So for me, just keeping that maturity and that professionalism throughout the year no matter the ups and downs. Holding myself more accountable on the defensive end. Obviously, I know I’m capable. But when you get subbed out of the game for offensive-defensive possession, that shows where your trust is with your coach and your ability. So for me, just trying to gain that trust with coach defensively. And consistently, I’m going to show up every day, practice game preseason, whatever, knowing that coach has that trust in me as well.
“I think it will just continue into a successful season.”
That answer came to a question about what a career year, something coach JJ Redick said he thought Russell might have, could end up looking like. Scoring never got mentioned.
General manager Rob Pelinka and Redick have both spoken about getting the ball in Reaves’ hands more. Gabe Vincent, who played just 11 games last season, is a full-go for the start of camp Tuesday. Both mean Russell is going to have to contribute in different ways.
And Monday, he sounded like he truly gets that.
Last season, Russell averaged 18 points and 6.3 assists while making more threes last season than any other Laker in franchise history. Still, after another uneven playoff series against Denver, Russell seems committed to change. Asked how, despite some athletic limitations, he could influence games defensively, Russell looked inward.
“Focus. Just focus,” he said. “…I’m able to have a missed box out, a missed backdoor opportunity, a missed lapse like that which can cost a game. When you watch film, you see me having those plays a little more often. I’m trying to limit those plays with me so I can earn that trust to stay on the floor at the end of the games.”
Redick surprised people last week when he said Russell was the player he probably spent the most time chatting with this summer. And when Russell opted into his contract prior to the free agency, people with knowledge of the decision said conversations with Redick played a factor and added to his enthusiasm for a return.
“He’s going to have a major role on this team. I think the thing that DLo and I have talked about a lot is just like, ‘Let’s put you in a position to have a career year,’” Redick said last week. “His mindset, his energy, the talk that he’s brought, the leadership that he’s brought when he’s been in the building, has been excellent. So I’m thrilled. Thrilled to be coaching DLo this season.”
Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell, center, huddles with teammates Anthony Davis, left, and LeBron James during Game 4 of the playoff series against the Nuggets.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles)
The praise has mattered.
“He’s … harped on [how] my energy is kinda contagious,” he said. “So just being a positive guy, a high-confidence guy, IQ guy. I think, I’m vocal. Me being vocal in the short time I’ve been here this summer, I think he kinda recognized it and harped on it a little more than normal. Just ‘keep that going. Continue that. We love to see that. We notice that.’ These kind words mean a lot to me because I’m not used to hearing those.”
Russell pointed to Redick’s organization over the summer as a reason why things have a “new” feel around the Lakers’ facility, even if Russell knows he’s probably bound for another round of Trade Machine rumors because of his $18.7 million contract that expires after this season.
“Definitely think since I’ve been back [with the Lakers starting in 2022], we’ve done an unbelievable job putting things together and kinda winging it a little bit,” Russell said. “I think throughout that ‘winging it,’ we kinda knew where our flaws were. Obviously, rebounding and things like that can lose games, But it starts now in the summer with the structure you try to implement. Figuring out our last two minutes of the game, how we’re going to finish games. The sooner we can figure that out through the season, the better. And that comes with experience. I’m looking forward to having that experience going forward into the season with some of these familiar faces. Some of our guys who weren’t healthy last year are healthy.
“I like our group.”
Sports
Golf star records lowest round in LPGA major history with astounding performance at Evian Championship
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There are good days on the golf course, and then there is what Haeran Ryu just did on Saturday.
Ryu, 25, recorded the lowest round in LPGA major history on Saturday with an 11-under 60 at the Evian Championship. With the South Korean golfer’s historic round, she holds a three-stroke lead.
Ryu’s round comes just two weeks after winning her first major at the Women’s PGA Championship. On the 18th hole, Ryu left a 30-foot eagle putt a few inches short, and instead settled for a birdie.
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Haeran Ryu of South Korea reacts on the 18th green after the third round of The Amundi Evian Championship at Evian Resort Golf Club in Evian-les-Bains, France, on July 11, 2026. (Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
She said after the round that she had no idea what she had done until she counted up her scorecard.
“But after the putt and I counted my score with my caddie,” she said. “Oh my God, it’s 11-under par today. It was so amazing. My caddie says, ‘Yep.’ I’m so happy right now.”
If Ryu had made the eagle putt on the 18th hole, she would have been just the second player to shoot a 59 in LPGA history.
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Haeran Ryu of South Korea celebrates a birdie on the 15th green during the third round of The Amundi Evian Championship at Evian Resort Golf Club on July 11, 2026, in Evian-les-Bains, France. (Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
Her 60 broke the record for the lowest round in an LPGA major by one shot. Leona Maguire and Jeungeun Lee6 in 2021, and Hyo Joo Kim in 2014, each shot 61 at the Evian Championship, which was designated as an LPGA major in 2013.
The lowest round in a men’s major is 62, which is shared by four players — Branden Grace at Royal Birkdale in the 2017 British Open, Xander Schauffele and Rickie Fowler in the 2023 U.S. Open at Los Angeles Country Club, and Schauffele and Shane Lowry in the 2024 PGA Championship at Valhalla.
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Haeran Ryu of South Korea and Lottie Woad of England interact after their round on the 18th green during the third round of the Amundi Evian Championship at Evian Resort Golf Club in Evian-les-Bains, France, on July 11, 2026. (Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
Ryu hopes her historic third round can help propel her to a second major win in three weeks.
“That is amazing, amazing dream,” Ryu said. “So I just want that one to come true, but we have one more day.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Taylor Crabb is no stranger to South California beaches. The Long Beach State alum returns home this weekend to compete in AVP League matches.
It marks the first time AVP will compete in Long Beach since 2020 and allows players to compete at the 2028 Olympics beach volleyball venue.
Crabb, 34, made his AVP debut in 2013 with his brother, Trevor, and advanced from the qualifier in Manhattan Beach before finishing 25th in his first tournament.
After years of competing with various different partners, Taylor Crabb and Andy Benesh have delivered the top performances this AVP season.
The following interview with Crabb has been edited for clarity and length.
Are you excited to compete in this weekend’s event at Long Beach?
Crabb: Very excited. A lot of my college teammates and part of the school have reached out, saying that they’re gonna come. So I’m excited to get a chance to play in front of them again.
When was the last time you were in Long Beach?
Crabb: I always try to go down there for alumni events or any big games they have. I went to UCLA against Long Beach last year, when it was No. 1 versus No. 2, so I always try to get down there and support them.
You missed out on the chance to compete in the 2020 Olympics because of COVID-19 restrictions and chose not to pursue a spot at the 2024 Olympics. Are you fired up to try to compete in the 2028 Olympics, knowing that Long Beach will host the competition?
Crabb: Yeah, it’s definitely an exciting time having the Olympics in Long Beach, and we kind of get to break it in this weekend. As you said, Tokyo didn’t go the way I wanted, but I’m going full force now. I have a great partner in Andy Benesh, who obviously went to the Paris Olympics, and if it weren’t for the Olympics being in Long Beach, and me getting a partner like Andy, I’m not even sure I’d be going for it, but because of those two things, I want to make the most of it.
You mentioned that if it wasn’t for a partner like Andy, you wouldn’t be going for it. What do you mean by that?
Crabb: I didn’t feel motivated by playing in all the international events, but now, I think, sitting out kind of lit the fire under me, and I’m really motivated now.
You’ve had different partners throughout your time. What other motivation does Andy give you?
Crabb: He’s been, in my mind, the top blocker for the U.S. the last four or five years. Seeing the professionalism he brings every day to practice, on and off the court, while traveling and when showing up to tournaments, it rubs off on you and that’s really motivating to see. And I just want to make him proud.
Why do you love volleyball?
Crabb: A lot of reasons, but it’s just a feeling I have when I’m out there on the court. It feels natural. It feels like home. I was born into a volleyball family. I had a volleyball in my hands my entire life, so I’ve always just enjoyed it.
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CM Punk appeared on “Friday Night SmackDown” ready to take on any challenger that was ready to step to him after winning the Undisputed WWE Championship against Sami Zayn.
Punk entered the ring in Oklahoma City and called back to the “Monday Night Raw” after WrestleMania 42 when he told Cody Rhodes he’d be ready to deliver if a championship opportunity fell “out of the sky.”
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Cody Rhodes and CM Punk face off during SmackDown at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Okla. (Craig Ambrosio/WWE via Getty Images)
“When championship opportunities fall out of the sky, CM Punk catches them,” he said.
Punk named potential SmackDown superstars he’d think might come for the title, including Gunther, Finn Balor, Royce Keys, Damian Priest and Trick Williams. He even said that Zayn could come back around and get his rematch if he wanted. He didn’t mention Rhodes’ name, but the “American Nightmare” came out uncalled and marched his way down to the ring.
“I don’t think you and I can run away from each other anymore,” Punk told Rhodes.
Cody Rhodes looks on during SmackDown at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Okla., on July 10, 2026. (Craig Ambrosio/WWE via Getty Images)
Rhodes agreed and mentioned that Punk would want a match with him, just “say when.” It was a quick retort from Punk, who said, “when.” SmackDown general manager Nick Aldis, who was in the ring for the segment, booked the match for SummerSlam.
Punk will defend the Undisputed WWE Championship at SummerSlam, which takes place Aug. 1 and 2 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.
First, however, Punk and Rhodes will be involved in a tag team match at Saturday Night’s Main Event in New York City next week. Aldis made the match after Gunther demanded that Aldis put him in a match against Punk. Gunther was hoping it would be for the championship. Instead, Gunther will tag with Zayn.
Gunther didn’t take too kindly to that and attacked Aldis. Rhodes came back out to break up the calamity. He wanted to take on Gunther after the show went off air but Gunther walked away.
Gunther makes his entrance during SmackDown at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Okla., on July 10, 2026. (Rich Wade/WWE via Getty Images)
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Punk definitely has his hands full as he moves to SmackDown to become a fighting champion.
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