TL;DR

NBA Finals Game 7: Thunder vs. Pacers; Jon Jones retires, Aspinall UFC champ; Mets tie HR record.

Highlights

• NBA Finals heads to a rare Game 7: Thunder host Pacers; Haliburton (calf) expected to play, Thunder favored by 7 1.
• LeBron James signals his career is nearing its end after 22 seasons, cites Wembanyama’s impact 7.
• UFC: Jon Jones retires, Tom Aspinall promoted to undisputed heavyweight champion 2.
• Braves ace Chris Sale (fractured ribs) and Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman (oblique) placed on IL, impacting playoff and fantasy outlooks 56.
• Mets hit seven solo homers to tie MLB record, rout Phillies, and move into first-place tie in NL East 14.
• MLB investigating Giants reliever Sean Hjelle for domestic abuse allegations; Hjelle remains active during review 3.
• Red Sox manager Cora defends Rafael Devers trade to Giants; Devers hitless in first game vs. Boston 4.
• WNBA: Liberty’s Jonquel Jones out 4–6 weeks (ankle); Sophie Cunningham fined after altercation defending Caitlin Clark 810.
• Bears QB Caleb Williams calls Packers fans “the worst,” fueling rivalry ahead of 2025 matchups 17.
• Real Madrid omit Mbappé (illness) and key defenders from Club World Cup squad vs. Pachuca 12.
• Manchester City to reduce squad size after summer signings; Rodri and Stones not fully fit for Club World Cup 19.
• Marketa Vondrousova (No. 164) defeats world No. 1 Sabalenka, wins Berlin title, emerges as Wimbledon threat 18.

Commentary

The NBA Finals will be decided in a Game 7 for the first time since 2016, with the Thunder favored at home against the Pacers 1. Tyrese Haliburton’s expected return, despite a calf strain, is notable for player props and DFS, but his minutes may be limited 1. The historical edge for home teams in Finals Game 7s is strong, but the series’ close margins suggest another tight contest 1.

MLB saw significant movement: the Mets’ seven solo home runs in a single game ties a league record and vaults them into a tie atop the NL East, a key development for division futures and daily fantasy 14. Atlanta loses ace Chris Sale indefinitely with fractured ribs, further thinning their rotation 5, while Baltimore’s All-Star catcher Adley Rutschman also hits the IL, impacting both teams’ playoff and fantasy trajectories 6. Off the field, Giants reliever Sean Hjelle faces a domestic abuse investigation but remains active, creating uncertainty for bullpen usage 3.

In combat sports, Jon Jones’ retirement hands the UFC heavyweight title to Tom Aspinall, with immediate implications for title-fight betting and division futures 2. In the WNBA, New York Liberty lose Jonquel Jones for up to six weeks, affecting frontcourt depth and betting lines 8, while Sophie Cunningham’s fine after defending Caitlin Clark keeps the spotlight on officiating and player safety 10.

Soccer and tennis also present actionable news: Real Madrid’s Club World Cup squad is depleted by illness and injuries, impacting lineup projections and match odds 12. In tennis, Marketa Vondrousova’s Berlin title—after defeating world No. 1 Sabalenka—positions her as a live Wimbledon sleeper, relevant for outright markets 18.

Monitor injury updates and lineup news in the NBA Finals, MLB, and WNBA for late value. Off-field controversies and roster moves are shifting depth charts and betting lines across all major sports.