Golden State Valkyries forward Kayla Thornton’s renaissance season has been cut short.

The Valkyries announced that Thornton successfully underwent surgery on Friday, July 25 after suffering a right knee injury in practice, effectively ending Thornton’s career-best campaign and dealing a devastating blow to the Valkyries’ hopes of becoming the first expansion team to make the playoffs in its inaugural season in nearly three decades.

The news comes nearly a week after Thornton participated in the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game in Indianapolis, where she recorded 15 points, 11 rebounds, five assists and one steal off the bench for Team Caitlin Clark. It marked the 10-year veteran’s first All-Star nod of her career, and she’s the first player to be named an All-Star as a member of a first-year team since Candice Dupree for the Chicago Sky in 2006.

The UTEP alumna played for the Washington Mystics (2015) and Dallas Wings (2017-22) before winning a Commissioner’s Cup and WNBA championship with the New York Liberty in 2023 and 2024, respectively. Thornton was a role player on the Liberty in 2024, averaging 5.5 points and 2.6 rebounds in 20.2 minutes of play per game on the championship roster. But that all changed when Thornton was drafted in the expansion draft by Golden State in December.

Thornton quickly became the No. 1 option on the Valkyries, playing a team-high 30.1 minutes per game. Although expectations are typically low for expansion teams early on — the Atlanta Dream went 4-30 in their inaugural season in 2008, while the Chicago Sky went 5-29 in 2006 — the Valkyries jumped to an unprecedented 10-9 start and are the third expansion team in WNBA history to pick up its 10th victory in 20 games or less.

Thornton led the Valkyries in scoring through 22 games (all starts) and averaged a career-high 14 points per game, besting her previous high of 10.4 points per game in 2019 by nearly four points. She also set career-highs in rebounds (7) and steals (1.3), leading the team in both categories.

‘It goes beyond basketball. She’s a tremendous person. She’s someone that you wanna be around all the time,’ teammate Kate Martin said after Thornton dropped a career-high 29 points in a win over the Chicago Sky on June 27. ‘She’s a great leader in the locker room and a great friend, so it’s really fun whenever she’s all of that, but also a phenomenal basketball player.

‘You can learn a lot from KT And how she plays and I’m just really glad she’s getting all the success she’s getting. She deserves it and I’m thankful that I’m her teammate.’

How Thornton’s injury affects Valkyries playoff chances

The Valkyries have fallen on hard times and dropped five of their last six games heading into the All-Star weekend. Thornton’s season-ending injury marks a significant loss, and it’s only going to get tougher.

Golden State opens the second half of the season with a matchup against the Dallas Wings at home on Friday, July 25, before going on a five-game road trip to face Connecticut (July 27), Atlanta (July 29), Washington (July 31), Chicago (Aug. 1) and Las Vegas (Aug. 3).

The Valkyries (10-12) are currently ninth in the standings and would miss the playoffs if the postseason started today. Golden State is looking to become the first expansion team to make the playoffs in its inaugural season since the Detroit Shock in 1998.

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Saniyah Hall, the top female high school basketball recruit in the class of 2026, according to ESPN’s rankings, has committed to play for USC after receiving offers from nearly 30 schools, including UConn, UCLA, South Carolina, North Carolina and LSU. The 16-year-old made the announcement on ESPN’s ‘NBA Today’ on Friday, saying, USC ‘felt like home.’

‘It’s such a blessing to be in this position, but I think I truly found my home, and I’m ready to tell the world where I’m going,’ she said before revealing a Trojans shirt underneath her jacket. ‘I am headed to the University of Southern California. Go Trojans! Fight on.’

Hall’s announcement comes on the heels of her gold medal win with Team USA at the FIBA Under-19 World Cup. She was named MVP after averaging 19.9 points and 6.4 rebounds, shooting 52.6% from the field and 39.3% on 3-pointers. She scored 25 points vs. Australia in the gold-medal game. Her 19.9 points per game may have set a USA U19 record, but Hall said she’s proudest of her defense: ‘I had a lot of steals that game and a lot of blocks.’

She’ll join a Trojans squad that is assembling elite talent under coach Lindsay Gottlieb. McDonald’s All-American Jazzy Davidson, the third overall recruit in the 2025 class, who competed alongside Hall on the USA U19 team, also committed to play for USC. The Trojans were 31-4 last season and lost to UConn in an Elite Eight game after superstar Juju Watkins went down with an ACL injury during the second round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament.

Hall said Gottlieb and her teammates led to her choice to commit to USC. On Friday, she said, ‘I love all my teammates. The girls there are so fun to be around definitely Lindsay (Gottlieb)… she’s definitely there to support me and I’ve built a relationship with her. She’s a great coach.’

The Ohio native will finish her senior season of high school basketball at SPIRE Academy in Geneva, Ohio. Last season, she played for Montverde (Florida) Academy and averaged 20.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 2.8 steals and 1.4 blocks.

Hall signed an NIL deal with Jordan brand earlier this month. During her announcement, Hall said, ‘I don’t have anything to prove. I just go out, play basketball. I let my game do the talking. Actions speak for themselves.’

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SmackDown was a night of remembrance for WWE.

The July 25 edition of WWE’s weekly show was the first one to take place since the death of Hulk Hogan, arguably the biggest star in company history. WWE typically holds tributes during shows after former stars have died, but given Hogan’s status and impact on the industry, it was a night full of remembrance for the creator of ‘Hulkamania’ with major names paying respect to the WWE Hall of Famer.

Even though the night was mostly dedicated to Hogan, it was still a WWE show with matches and more buildup to SummerSlam on Aug. 2-3. USA TODAY Sports provided the highlights and more from SmackDown:

Watch: Hulk Hogan tribute video

A tribute video narrated by Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque encapsulates Hogan’s career, from the beginning to his top moments in the ring — from WrestleMania main event matches to the New World Order to ‘Hollywood’ Hulk Hogan. It also touches on his career outside of the ring, from movies to becoming a worldwide celebrity.

Ten-bell salute for Hulk Hogan

WWE does an honorary ten-bell salute as people in the crowd hold up signs for Hogan. Jimmy Hart was seen wiping tears away.

WWE roster pays tribute to Hulk Hogan

The SmackDown roster joins WWE chief content officer Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque on stage for a tribute. Other WWE icons like Jimmy Hart and Sgt. Slaughter are in the crowd. Levesque also speaks.

‘He captivated millions of people and inspired them around the globe,’ Levesque said. ‘We would not be standing here right now − all of us together − if it was not for him.’

Remembering Hulk Hogan vs. The Iron Sheik

WWE shows footage from Madison Square Garden in 1984, when Hogan defeated The Iron Sheik to win his first WWE title.

Hogan was a six-time WWE Champion, and one of those reigns lasted 1,474 days, the third longest run in company history.

Cody Rhodes thanks Hulk Hogan

Before he talks about his SummerSlam matchup, ‘The American Nightmare’ thanks Hogan for his contributions to wrestling.

‘I know emotions and feelings regarding it are complicated,’ Rhodes said. ‘But what is not complicated is his accomplishments and his contributions to WWE, to sports entertainment, to pro wrestling, to entertainment as a whole, they are staggering and they are indisputable.

‘As someone who gets to stand here and say that I’m a WWE superstar, he was the original, and I just want to take a moment to say thank you Hulk Hogan.’

Remembering Hulk Hogan vs. Andre the Giant

Arguably Hogan’s most memorable match, Hogan faced Andre the Giant at WrestleMania 3. In the battle of giants, Hogan famously picked up his opponent and executed his signature running leg drop to defeat him.

It was just one of the eight times Hogan was in the main event of WrestleMania.

Other SmackDown results

Randy Orton and Jelly Roll face off with Logan Paul and Drew McIntyre

Cleveland-native Paul entices the crowd to make fun of Jelly Roll, who then emerges and trades words with Paul. McIntyre comes out for backup and Orton appears before a fight breaks out.

After taking some shots, Jelly Roll impresses with some jabs and a slam to Paul.

Alexa Bliss vs. Roxanne Perez

Perez def. Bliss.

Jade Cargill vs. Chelsea Green

Cargill def. Green.

The Secret Hervice attacks Cargill after the match but Tiffany Stratton comes to Cargill’s aid.

The Miz returns

After more than two months away, Ohio-native The Miz returns to an ovation from the crowd. He challenges Jacob Fatu to a match.

The Miz vs. Jacob Fatu

Fatu def. The Miz.

MFT comes in and immediately beats down Fatu. Jimmy Uso comes to help but Talla Tonga is too much and the attack continues. Fatu catches his breath and tries to hit Solo Sikoa with a chair, but Tonga again thwarts the attempt.

WWE Tag Team Championship match: The Wyatt Sicks (c) vs. Andrade and Rey Fenix

Andrade and Rey Fenix def. The Wyatt Sicks by disqualification. Joe Gacy and Dexter Lumis retain titles.

Fraxiom, Motor City Machine Guns and the Street Profits come out and an all-out brawl breaks out. #DIY emerge with general manager Nick Aldis, and he announces all six teams will face off in a tables, ladders and chairs match. The fight continues.

When is WWE Friday Night SmackDown?

WWE SmackDown takes place on Friday, July 25 at 8 p.m. ET.

How to watch WWE Friday Night SmackDown

SmackDown airs on USA Network. It can be streamed via Fubo.

How long is WWE SmackDown?

SmackDown is a two-hour event.

WWE to pay tribute to Hulk Hogan

WWE said it will remember the legacy of Hogan on SmackDown. It has not been announced what tributes will be made.

When did Hulk Hogan die?

Hogan died on July 24 at the age of 71.

Hulk Hogan cause of death

Hogan died after suffering cardiac arrest. The Clearwater (Florida) Police Department said fire and police personnel responded to a medical call on July 24 at 9:51 a.m. ET in Clearwater Beach on the Gulf Coast of Florida, near Tampa.

Authorities said ‘the nature of the call was for a cardiac arrest’ and Hogan was taken to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 11:17 a.m. ET.

WWE SmackDown match card, schedule

• WWE pays tribute to Hulk Hogan
• Cody Rhodes addresses street fight against John Cena at SummerSlam
• Randy Orton and Jelly Roll face off with Logan Paul and Drew McIntyre
• WWE Tag Team Championship match: The Wyatt Sicks (c) vs. Andrade and Rey Fenix
• Alexa Bliss vs. Roxanne Perez

WWE stars, icons remember Hulk Hogan

Several major WWE stars past and present have given tributes to Hogan since his death, including company founder Vince McMahon, Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque, Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson and Ric Flair.

Jimmy Hart, Jerry Lawler react to Hulk Hogan death

Two people who were close to Hogan — Jimmy Hart and Jerry Lawler — spoke to USA TODAY Sports after Hogan’s death, and were emotional trying to process the news.

‘It’s just a sad situation,’ Lawler said.

– Read more here.

AI-assisted summary
• Around 100 NFL players and 24 club employees face fines for selling Super Bowl 59 tickets above face value.
• The NFL’s ongoing investigation found players and employees sold tickets to ‘bundlers,’ who resold them at higher prices.
• Penalties include fines and restrictions on future Super Bowl ticket purchases.

The NFL is fining roughly 100 players and two dozen club employees for violating the NFL’s policy for selling Super Bowl 59 tickets above face value, a person familiar with the situation told USA TODAY Sports. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter.

The Associated Press was first to report the news.

A memo sent to teams by NFL chief compliance officer Sabrina Perel and obtained by USA TODAY said the investigation is ongoing.

‘Our initial investigation has determined that a number of NFL players and coaches, employed by several NFL clubs, sold Super Bowl tickets for more than the ticket’s face value in violation of the policy. This longstanding league policy, which is specifically incorporated into the collective bargaining agreement, prohibits league or club employees, including players, from selling NFL game tickets acquired from their employer for more than the ticket’s face value or for an amount greater than the employee originally paid for the ticket, whichever is less,’ the memo read.

‘We are in the process of completing our investigation into this matter, but the investigation has revealed that club employees and players sold their tickets to a small number of ‘bundlers’ who were working with a ticket reseller to sell the Super Bowl tickets above face value.’

The Associated Press reported that players who resold their tickets to bundlers will have to pay a fine of 1 1/2 times the face value they paid. They also won’t be permitted to buy tickets for the next two Super Bowls unless they are playing in the game. Team employees who violated the league’s policy will be fined two times face value.

Those who worked to bundle the tickets will also face increased penalties.

The Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22 in Super Bowl 59.

‘In advance of Super Bowl 60, we will be enhancing the mandatory compliance training regarding the policy for all league personnel, which will emphasize the specific requirements of the policy and the broader principle that no one should profit personally from their NFL affiliation at the expense of our fans,’ the memo stated. ‘We will also increase the penalties for future violations of this policy.’

Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.

Inter Miami will add another one of Lionel Messi’s close friends and a third World Cup champion to its roster.

Midfielder Rodrigo De Paul, 31, has agreed to join Messi and Inter Miami on a loan transfer from La Liga’s Atlético de Madrid, both sides announced on Friday, July 25. De Paul’s loan will last through the 2025 MLS season, and the deal includes an option to make the transfer permanent through the 2029 MLS season. 

De Paul will be introduced before Inter Miami’s match against FC Cincinnati at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

“What brings me to Inter Miami is the desire to compete, win titles, to write the pages in the club’s history,” De Paul said in a statement. “It’s a club that is shaping up to be great, to have a long history, so that many people follow this incredible team.”

De Paul is considered one of Messi’s closest friends from the Argentine national team. Together, they won the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, and Copa America titles in 2021 and 2024. They could also play together again with Argentina in the 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. Messi has yet to declare he will play in the next World Cup.

Inter Miami’s signing of De Paul also bodes well for the club’s aspirations to re-sign Messi, 38, who is signed through the rest of the 2025 MLS season. With the club in ongoing contract negotiations he could re-sign at least through 2026. 

“Rodrigo is a player I’ve admired for many years. As a leader he has brought so much to the teams he has played for … I’m excited to welcome another World Cup winning player not just to Inter Miami, but also to MLS,” Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham said in a statement. 

Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas added: “We’re thrilled to sign a player of Rodrigo’s caliber. He is a winner who has conquered the world stage. His ambitions match ours at Inter Miami, and we are hungry to achieve these goals together.” 

De Paul had one year remaining on a five-year deal signed in 2021 with Atlético. Now, he’ll join Messi’s slew of former FC Barcelona teammates with the MLS club. 

Messi joined Inter Miami with left back Jordi Alba and midfielder Sergio Busquets, the Spain World Cup champion, in July 2023. Luis Suarez joined them in 2024. And Javier Mascherano is in his first season coaching the squad. 

It’s unclear when De Paul could debut. After Inter Miami hosts FC Cincinnati, they will begin the 2025 Leagues Cup tournament between MLS and Liga MX teams from Mexico. Inter Miami will host Atlas FC on July 30, Club Necaxa on Aug. 2 and Pumas UNAM on Aug. 6 in the first phase of the Leagues Cup tournament, which they won in 2023.