Reuters Sports News Summary

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.

Rueben Chinyelu withdraws from NBA draft, returns to Florida

Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Rueben Chinyelu withdrew from the ​2026 NBA Draft and will return to a loaded Florida lineup, the university announced on Thursday. Chinyelu, 22, averaged ​10.9 points and 11.2 rebounds in 35 games (all starts) last season for the Gators. ‌The ​6-foot-11, 245-pound center set Florida single-season records with 19 double-doubles and 137 offensive rebounds.

Soccer-New York City offering $50 World Cup tickets for residents

New York City will offer its residents a chance to snag $50 tickets to World Cup games in New Jersey this summer, Mayor Zohran Mamdani said on Thursday, with 1,000 affordable tickets up for grabs through a lottery system. The discounted tickets come with free ‌round-trip bus transportation to the stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey and will be split across five group-stage and two knockout games, with 150 tickets available per match.

Giants uncertain when WR Malik Nabers (knee) will return

New York Giants coach John Harbaugh said Thursday that the goal is for star wide receiver Malik Nabers to return from a knee injury at some point in training camp and be ready for the season opener in the fall, but he's not certain. Nabers, who tore his right ACL in September and underwent a ‌full meniscus repair on Oct. 28, had a procedure earlier this offseason to remove scar tissue that was causing stiffness.

LeBron James puts focus on winning, unwilling to 'start over' in Year 24

LeBron James might not be willing to play for the ‌league minimum, but if the potential Lakers free agent keeps retirement on the backburner, he's prioritizing winning over all other factors when considering his options for 2026-27. James has not officially determined his plan for next season but he's expected to inform the Lakers of his intentions before the NBA draft next month. But he made several comments indicating he's not done as his 42nd birthday (December 30) approaches.

Marlins LHP Robby Snelling to undergo Tommy John surgery

Marlins left-handed pitching prospect Robby Snelling will undergo Tommy John surgery on Friday to repair the ulnar collateral ligament in his pitching elbow, Miami officials said Thursday. Snelling, the club's No. ⁠2 prospect according ​to MLB Pipeline, will miss the rest of the season and a ⁠chunk of next season that has yet to be determined. He was transferred to the 60-day injured list on Thursday.

Motor racing-Kyle Busch dies at 41 after sudden illness

Kyle Busch, a generational talent whose aggressive driving style earned him the nickname "Rowdy" and won him two NASCAR Cup Series championships, has died at ⁠the age of 41, his family announced on Thursday. News of his death came just hours after Busch's family released a statement saying he had been hospitalized with a severe illness.

Report: Status for Thunder's Jalen Williams (hamstring) is game-to-game

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Jalen Williams' status in the Western Conference finals is ​game-to-game while he is evaluated daily for a left hamstring injury, ESPN reported on Thursday. Williams is getting treatment after a second injury to the same hamstring in less than a month. He started but played only seven minutes ⁠and totaled four points, one rebound and two steals before exiting Game 2 with left hamstring tightness on Wednesday, when the host Thunder beat the San Antonio Spurs 122-113 to even the best-of-seven series.

ATP roundup: Tommy Paul, Aleksandar Kovacevic make Hamburg semis

Americans will comprise half the semifinals of the Hamburg Open, as No. 6 seed ⁠Tommy ​Paul defeated Germany's Daniel Altmaier 6-2, 7-5, and lucky loser Aleksandar Kovacevic extended his run in a three-set win over Argentina's Camilo Ugo Carabelli on Thursday. One day after upsetting top-seeded Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada, Kovacevic outlasted Ugo Carabelli 6-4, 6-7 (10), 6-2 in two hours and 43 minutes. The marathon second-set tiebreaker featured Ugo Carabelli saving one match point on his way to forcing the third set. But Kovacevic finished with nine aces and a perfect 7-for-7 mark in saving break points.

Golf-LIV Golf seeking $350 million in ⁠funding after losing Saudi PIF backing, say sources

LIV Golf is seeking up to $350 million in new investment and plans to shrink to a 10-event schedule while giving players equity stakes in a bid to survive the loss of its Saudi sovereign ⁠wealth fund backing after 2026, sources told Reuters on Thursday. Investment bank Ducera ⁠Partners, which is advising LIV Golf, began presenting the plan to potential backers on Thursday, the sources said. The league's players have been briefed on the plan and have responded positively, they added.

Motor racing-Russell aims for Montreal rebound as Mercedes brings key upgrade

George Russell said there was no need to panic ahead of a Canadian Grand Prix weekend that could see championship-leading Mercedes teammate Kimi ‌Antonelli take his fourth Formula One win in ‌a row. Russell, 20 points off the championship lead, arrives at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve with Mercedes bringing their first major upgrade of ​the season, after McLaren and Ferrari introduced developments in Miami.

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