SPORTS HEADLINES

LeBron James will play his first game with the 76ers against champion Knicks on NBA opening night

NEW YORK (AP) — LeBron James will play his first game with Philadelphia 76ers on the NBA’s opening night against the defending champion New York Knicks. The Oct. 20 game at Madison Square Garden will be part of a tripleheader, when the Knicks raise a banner to celebrate their first championship since 1973 and James kicks off the final stop in his career. He will return to Los Angeles to face the Lakers on Christmas, after Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs return to New York for an NBA Finals rematch to open a five-game schedule. The NBA unveiled those games Tuesday. The full schedule will be released Thursday.

Vikings pick Kyler Murray as their starting quarterback over J.J. McCarthy, AP source says

EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — The Minnesota Vikings have chosen Kyler Murray as their starting quarterback over J.J. McCarthy, according to a person with knowledge of the decision. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the team had not yet made the announcement. Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell pledged to supervise a true competition for the job between the newcomer Murray and the incumbent McCarthy. An earlier decision on the starter was always going to be ideal for Murray as he’s learning a new system and staff after spending his first seven NFL seasons with the Arizona Cardinals.

Aaron Rodgers is leaning into his final year, except when it comes to playing in the preseason

LATROBE, Pa. (AP) — Aaron Rodgers is soaking in what he says will be his final NFL training camp, but he doesn’t feel the need to play in Pittsburgh’s preseason opener against Green Bay. The 42-year-old described the exhibition slate as “not real football” compared to what awaits when the regular season starts in September. Rodgers thinks the preseason is valuable for younger players such as Drew Allar and Will Howard to gain experience. First-year Pittsburgh head Mike McCarthy hasn’t confirmed if Rodgers will play, but suggested veterans might sit out to protect their health.

Chiefs WR Rashee Rice: 30 days in a Texas jail a ‘learning experience’ after probation violation

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) — Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice has described his 30 days spent in a Texas jail as a “learning experience” and a “reality check.” He was jailed in May for violating probation related to a car crash. Rice spent his time rehabbing from knee surgery and watching comedian Kevin Hart on TV to stay positive. He was released in June and resumed training with quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who also was coming back from knee surgery. Rice has been productive when available, but injuries and suspensions have limited his play. He’s entering the final year of his rookie contract and has much to prove this season.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina Rodriguez tie the knot after 10 years

Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina Rodriguez are husband and wife. They got married on Tuesday in a civil ceremony described by the public relations team that represents the Portuguese soccer star as “a private and intimate moment attended by their five children.” The Brunswick Group says in an announcement that the ceremony took place in Cascais, a coastal town in western Portugal near the capital Lisbon. The couple posted a picture on their Instagram accounts showing their rings. They have been together after meeting in Madrid in 2016. Ronaldo is a five-time world player of the year and one of the most high-profile sports stars.

Bears safety Coby Bryant to miss four to six months after knee surgery

LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) — Chicago Bears safety Coby Bryant will miss four to six months after he had surgery on his injured left knee. Bryant was signed to a $40 million, three-year deal as a free agent this offseason, was expected to be an important part of a revamped Chicago secondary. Coach Ben Johnson said Bryant had surgery Friday without disclosing details of the injury. He did not rule out the possibility that Bryant would return this season. Former Dallas and Tennessee safety Xavier Woods was signed last week and has been practicing with the starters in Bryant’s spot.

LIV players returning to PGA Tour has been a trickle. The tour might need to plan for more

The idea was that players who chased Saudi money would not be seen again on the PGA Tour. Brooks Koepka is back on the PGA Tour. Patrick Reed will be next. There could be as many as three other ex-LIV golfers who get on the PGA Tour through the European tour points list. It’s been a trickle. The PGA Tour might need to plan for more depending on how LIV Golf can survive without Saudi money. The big names are Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm. DeChambeau believes he should be able to play both because he thinks everyone wants to see him.

MLB-worst Angels fire pitching coach Mike Maddux, 2 assistants in staff shakeup

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Pitching coach Mike Maddux, bullpen coach Dom Chiti and assistant pitching coach Darryl Scott have been fired by the Los Angeles Angels. Interim front-office leader John Mozeliak announced several changes Tuesday to first-year manager Kurt Suzuki’s coaching staff. The Angels have the majors’ worst record at 45-74. Tim Leveque was appointed Los Angeles’ interim pitching coach, and Michael Wuertz will be the club’s interim bullpen coach. Maddux didn’t last one full season with the Angels, who hired him last winter. The veteran pitching coach presided over a staff that has the majors’ seventh-worst ERA at 4.51.

Some of the top transfers in college football includes plenty of guys who followed their coaches

Some of this season’s top college football transfers simply followed their coaches from one school to another. Former North Texas coach Eric Morris took over Oklahoma State’s program and now has 21 of his former Mean Green players. That list includes 2025 Bowl Subdivision passinng yardage leader Drew Mestemaker. John Henry Daley recorded 11 ½ sacks last season at Utah last season before accompanying coach Kyle Whittingham to Michigan. Quarterback Rocco Becht is one of about two dozen Penn State players who already had worked with new Nittany Lions coach Matt Campbell at Iowa State.

Britain’s Andy Green sets another speed record, this time for fastest run in a hydrogen-powered car

WENDOVER, Utah (AP) — The only person to break the sound barrier in a car has earned another world record, this time in a show of force for hydrogen power. British driver Andy Green reached 406.320 mph in a car powered by two hydrogen internal combustion engines, setting the record for that vehicle category, according to the international governing body of motor sports. The 64-year-old retired Royal Air Force pilot rocketed across the crystalline crust at Utah’s famous Bonneville Salt Flats in a car engineered by British construction equipment manufacturer JCB. Tuesday’s feat didn’t come close to approaching his overall land-speed record of 763 mph, which he set in 1997 in a car powered by jet engines and which caused sonic booms.