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#Deadspin #EWC #conclude #CS2 #championship">Deadspin | EWC 2026 to conclude with $2M CS2 championship 
The Esports World Cup 2026 will conclude with the $2 million Counter-Strike 2 competition.
#Deadspin #EWC #conclude #CS2 #championship
The Esports World Cup 2026 will conclude with the $2 million Counter-Strike 2 competition. The Esports World Cup 2026 will conclude with the $2 million Counter-Strike Championship Final at the Accor Arena in Paris, organizers announced Tuesday.
Along with the CS2 grand finale, the EWC 2026 Club Champion will also be crowned at the iconic Counter-Strike venue, which played host to the final CS:GO Major in 2023.
The 32-team CS2 competition will include 28 of the top-ranked teams in the world according to the Valve Region Standings. The final four teams will be determined through a 128-team open qualifier taking place in Paris from Aug. 7-9.
The $2 million prize pool is the largest in Counter-Strike 2 history, and the competition could also determine the Club Championship.
The EWC 2026 began on July 6 and runs through Aug. 23. The event will see more than 2,000 players from more than 200 clubs and more than 100 countries competing across 24 games and 25 tournaments for a total prize pool exceeding $75 million.
–Field Level Media
The WNBA trade deadline is just around the corner — coming up on Sunday at 2 pm ET — and while activity has historically been pretty limited in the days leading up to the deadline, that’s begun to change as of late.
But, over the past few years, midseason transactions have become more commonplace. As the deadline nears, let’s take a look at which transactions proved successful, and which ones didn’t.
NaLyssa Smith to the Las Vegas Aces (2025)
The Aces traded for NaLyssa Smith last June, and she ended up being the missing piece in their title run. Smith, who had begun the year with the Dallas Wings, immediately became an impact player alongside A’ja Wilson in Las Vegas.
In the first half of the year in Dallas, she had averaged 6.7 points and 4.9 rebounds per game, while shooting just 42.1% from the field. But in the final 27 games of the season with Las Vegas, Smith bumped that average to 8.2 points on 55.6% shooting. This season, she is averaging 11.8 points on a scorching-hot 66.7% shooting.
Smith was traded to the Wings in exchange for the Aces’ 2027 first-round draft pick; how impactful that player ends up being remains to be seen. Regardless, because the move resulted in a title, it’ll be hard to argue that it’s unsuccessful in any way.
DiJonai Carrington to the Minnesota Lynx (2025)
The Minnesota Lynx traded for DiJonai Carrington ahead of the trade deadline, in exchange for Diamond Miller, Karlie Samuelson and a 2027 second-round draft pick. Carrington fit seamlessly — she averaged 8.6 points off the bench, while shooting 45.5% from beyond the arc in 11 regular-season games. But in the second game of the playoffs, she suffered a left mid-foot sprain that ruled her out of the rest of the playoffs.
Ultimately, the Lynx lost to the Mercury in the Semi-Finals. But it made sense for them to go out and pursue Carrington, since Miller wasn’t playing, Samuelson was out for the season, and a championship appeared within each.
Marina Mabrey to the Connecticut Sun (2024)
The Sun went all-in ahead of the 2024 playoffs, and while it didn’t pan out, it made sense to go all-in at the time. Connecticut went on to lose in Game 5 of the Semi-Finals, but Mabrey gave them a boost through that playoffs and very well could have been the missing piece to a title.
The Sun received Mabrey and a 2025 second-round draft pick in exchange for Rachel Banham, Moriah Jefferson, a 2025 first-round draft pick, and the right to swap 2026 first-round picks. Mabrey had a career year for Connecticut last season, but ultimately walked away in free agency to join the Toronto Tempo.
In hindsight, the 2024 midseason trade didn’t pan out for the Sun and cost them crucial draft capital. But, considering that the Sun were one of the WNBA’s best teams, and DeWanna Bonner, Alyssa Thomas, and Brionna Jones were all potentially going to depart in the offseason, it made sense for them to go all-in ahead of the 2024 playoffs and add a talented scorer to a veteran group eager to win a franchise-first title.
Myisha Hines-Allen to the Minnesota Lynx (2024)
The Lynx traded for then-Washington Mystics forward Myisha Hines-Allen ahead of the 2024 playoffs, in exchange for Olivia Epoupa, forward Sika Koné, and a second-round pick in the 2026 WNBA draft.
Hines-Allen joined Minnesota to help bolster the frontcourt ahead of their Finals run. She averaged 4 points and 3.3 rebounds off the bench in 10 playoff games that season, but ultimately fell out of the rotation. The former Louisville star didn’t end up being the missing piece for the Lynx, who fell to the New York Liberty in the Finals.
But, like the Marina Mabrey trade, it made sense for a championship contender to make a move in hopes of bolstering their roster in the short-term.
Which championship contenders will look to add a final piece to their roster ahead of the trade deadline? It worked out for the Aces last year, and other teams may increasingly follow suit.
#Revisiting #biggest #WNBA #midseason #trades">Revisiting the 4 biggest recent WNBA midseason trades #Revisiting #biggest #WNBA #midseason #trades
The WNBA trade deadline is just around the corner — coming up on Sunday at 2 pm ET — and while activity has historically been pretty limited in the days leading up to the deadline, that’s begun to change as of late.
But, over the past few years, midseason transactions have become more commonplace. As the deadline nears, let’s take a look at which transactions proved successful, and which ones didn’t.
NaLyssa Smith to the Las Vegas Aces (2025)
The Aces traded for NaLyssa Smith last June, and she ended up being the missing piece in their title run. Smith, who had begun the year with the Dallas Wings, immediately became an impact player alongside A’ja Wilson in Las Vegas.
In the first half of the year in Dallas, she had averaged 6.7 points and 4.9 rebounds per game, while shooting just 42.1% from the field. But in the final 27 games of the season with Las Vegas, Smith bumped that average to 8.2 points on 55.6% shooting. This season, she is averaging 11.8 points on a scorching-hot 66.7% shooting.
Smith was traded to the Wings in exchange for the Aces’ 2027 first-round draft pick; how impactful that player ends up being remains to be seen. Regardless, because the move resulted in a title, it’ll be hard to argue that it’s unsuccessful in any way.
DiJonai Carrington to the Minnesota Lynx (2025)
The Minnesota Lynx traded for DiJonai Carrington ahead of the trade deadline, in exchange for Diamond Miller, Karlie Samuelson and a 2027 second-round draft pick. Carrington fit seamlessly — she averaged 8.6 points off the bench, while shooting 45.5% from beyond the arc in 11 regular-season games. But in the second game of the playoffs, she suffered a left mid-foot sprain that ruled her out of the rest of the playoffs.
Ultimately, the Lynx lost to the Mercury in the Semi-Finals. But it made sense for them to go out and pursue Carrington, since Miller wasn’t playing, Samuelson was out for the season, and a championship appeared within each.
Marina Mabrey to the Connecticut Sun (2024)
The Sun went all-in ahead of the 2024 playoffs, and while it didn’t pan out, it made sense to go all-in at the time. Connecticut went on to lose in Game 5 of the Semi-Finals, but Mabrey gave them a boost through that playoffs and very well could have been the missing piece to a title.
The Sun received Mabrey and a 2025 second-round draft pick in exchange for Rachel Banham, Moriah Jefferson, a 2025 first-round draft pick, and the right to swap 2026 first-round picks. Mabrey had a career year for Connecticut last season, but ultimately walked away in free agency to join the Toronto Tempo.
In hindsight, the 2024 midseason trade didn’t pan out for the Sun and cost them crucial draft capital. But, considering that the Sun were one of the WNBA’s best teams, and DeWanna Bonner, Alyssa Thomas, and Brionna Jones were all potentially going to depart in the offseason, it made sense for them to go all-in ahead of the 2024 playoffs and add a talented scorer to a veteran group eager to win a franchise-first title.
Myisha Hines-Allen to the Minnesota Lynx (2024)
The Lynx traded for then-Washington Mystics forward Myisha Hines-Allen ahead of the 2024 playoffs, in exchange for Olivia Epoupa, forward Sika Koné, and a second-round pick in the 2026 WNBA draft.
Hines-Allen joined Minnesota to help bolster the frontcourt ahead of their Finals run. She averaged 4 points and 3.3 rebounds off the bench in 10 playoff games that season, but ultimately fell out of the rotation. The former Louisville star didn’t end up being the missing piece for the Lynx, who fell to the New York Liberty in the Finals.
But, like the Marina Mabrey trade, it made sense for a championship contender to make a move in hopes of bolstering their roster in the short-term.
Which championship contenders will look to add a final piece to their roster ahead of the trade deadline? It worked out for the Aces last year, and other teams may increasingly follow suit.
World No. 3 Preeti secured India another boxing medal at the Commonwealth Games 2026 after producing a commanding performance against Northern Ireland’s Nicole Clyde in the women’s 54kg quarterfinal on Tuesday.
The Indian advanced to the semifinals with a unanimous 5-0 points victory, guaranteeing herself at least a bronze medal.
Preeti established control from the opening bell, using crisp straight punches and intelligent movement to keep Clyde at bay. The Northern Irish boxer attempted to apply pressure by coming forward, but Preeti repeatedly disrupted her advances with a sharp lead hand and quick one-two combinations.
Her accuracy soon brought the first standing eight-count of the contest. Preeti also found success at close range, slipping inside Clyde’s guard and landing an uppercut as she took the opening round on all five judges’ scorecards.
Preeti’s lead hand continued to work effectively in the second round. She remained solid in defence and repeatedly caught Clyde with straight punches before following up with combinations.
Another sustained attack resulted in Clyde receiving a second standing eight-count, leaving Preeti firmly in control heading into the final round.
The Indian maintained her composure in the third, picking her moments rather than being drawn into an untidy exchange. Her clean punching forced a third standing eight-count for Clyde as Preeti completed a dominant performance.
The judges scored the contest 30-25, 30-25, 30-26, 30-26 and 30-27 in Preeti’s favour, sealing a comprehensive victory and a place on the Commonwealth Games medal podium.
Preeti is slated to face Zambia’s Catherine Mwape in the semifinal at 3:15 p.m. IST on Friday.
Priya Ghanghas overturns slow start to secure medal
World No. 4 Priya Ghanghas recovered from a difficult opening round to defeat Scotland’s Niamh Mitchell by a 4-1 split decision in the women’s 60kg quarterfinal, securing at least a bronze medal at the ongoing Games.
The 19-year-old Mitchell began strongly and claimed the first round on four of the five judges’ cards, with Priya struggling initially to impose herself against the home boxer.
However, the Indian responded with greater urgency in the second round, turning the contest around by taking the frame on four cards. Both boxers were also handed one-point deductions during the round, leaving the bout finely balanced ahead of the final three minutes.
Priya then produced her most decisive boxing in the third round, which all five judges awarded to the Indian. Her strong finish proved crucial as she earned winning totals of 28-27 from three judges and 29-26 from another. The fifth judge scored the contest 28-27 in Mitchell’s favour.
The victory sent Priya into the semifinal and assured India of another boxing medal in Glasgow.
Parveen’s late charge falls short against Hickey
Parveen Hooda produced a strong final-round fightback but suffered a narrow 3-2 split-decision defeat to England’s Sacha Hickey in the women’s 65kg quarterfinal at the Commonwealth Games 2026 on Tuesday.
Hickey, the 2024 European Under-23 champion and current world No. 6, established an early advantage by taking the opening round on four of the five judges’ cards. A long straight caught Parveen cleanly in the closing seconds and helped the English boxer edge the round.
Parveen Hooda suffered a narrow 3-2 split-decision defeat to Sacha Hickey in the quarterfinal round. | Photo Credit: PTI
Parveen Hooda suffered a narrow 3-2 split-decision defeat to Sacha Hickey in the quarterfinal round. | Photo Credit: PTI
The second followed a similar pattern, with Hickey landing a corkscrew right near the bell and again earning a 4-1 split. However, the scores remained close, with four judges having the contest level at 19-19 entering the final round.
Parveen responded impressively, scoring with a left cross, right hand and repeated jabs while making Hickey miss with her corkscrew right. All five judges awarded the third round to the Indian, but Hickey’s early lead proved decisive.
Hickey won 29-28 on three cards, while Parveen took the other two 29-28.
More to follow…
Published on Jul 28, 2026
#CWG #Boxing #World #Preeti #storms #medal #rounds #commanding #win #Nicole">CWG 2026 Boxing: World No. 3 Preeti storms into medal rounds with commanding win over Nicole
World No. 3 Preeti secured India another boxing medal at the Commonwealth Games 2026 after producing a commanding performance against Northern Ireland’s Nicole Clyde in the women’s 54kg quarterfinal on Tuesday.
The Indian advanced to the semifinals with a unanimous 5-0 points victory, guaranteeing herself at least a bronze medal.
Preeti established control from the opening bell, using crisp straight punches and intelligent movement to keep Clyde at bay. The Northern Irish boxer attempted to apply pressure by coming forward, but Preeti repeatedly disrupted her advances with a sharp lead hand and quick one-two combinations.
Her accuracy soon brought the first standing eight-count of the contest. Preeti also found success at close range, slipping inside Clyde’s guard and landing an uppercut as she took the opening round on all five judges’ scorecards.
Preeti’s lead hand continued to work effectively in the second round. She remained solid in defence and repeatedly caught Clyde with straight punches before following up with combinations.
Another sustained attack resulted in Clyde receiving a second standing eight-count, leaving Preeti firmly in control heading into the final round.
The Indian maintained her composure in the third, picking her moments rather than being drawn into an untidy exchange. Her clean punching forced a third standing eight-count for Clyde as Preeti completed a dominant performance.
The judges scored the contest 30-25, 30-25, 30-26, 30-26 and 30-27 in Preeti’s favour, sealing a comprehensive victory and a place on the Commonwealth Games medal podium.
Preeti is slated to face Zambia’s Catherine Mwape in the semifinal at 3:15 p.m. IST on Friday.
Priya Ghanghas overturns slow start to secure medal
World No. 4 Priya Ghanghas recovered from a difficult opening round to defeat Scotland’s Niamh Mitchell by a 4-1 split decision in the women’s 60kg quarterfinal, securing at least a bronze medal at the ongoing Games.
The 19-year-old Mitchell began strongly and claimed the first round on four of the five judges’ cards, with Priya struggling initially to impose herself against the home boxer.
However, the Indian responded with greater urgency in the second round, turning the contest around by taking the frame on four cards. Both boxers were also handed one-point deductions during the round, leaving the bout finely balanced ahead of the final three minutes.
Priya then produced her most decisive boxing in the third round, which all five judges awarded to the Indian. Her strong finish proved crucial as she earned winning totals of 28-27 from three judges and 29-26 from another. The fifth judge scored the contest 28-27 in Mitchell’s favour.
The victory sent Priya into the semifinal and assured India of another boxing medal in Glasgow.
Parveen’s late charge falls short against Hickey
Parveen Hooda produced a strong final-round fightback but suffered a narrow 3-2 split-decision defeat to England’s Sacha Hickey in the women’s 65kg quarterfinal at the Commonwealth Games 2026 on Tuesday.
Hickey, the 2024 European Under-23 champion and current world No. 6, established an early advantage by taking the opening round on four of the five judges’ cards. A long straight caught Parveen cleanly in the closing seconds and helped the English boxer edge the round.
Parveen Hooda suffered a narrow 3-2 split-decision defeat to Sacha Hickey in the quarterfinal round. | Photo Credit: PTI
Parveen Hooda suffered a narrow 3-2 split-decision defeat to Sacha Hickey in the quarterfinal round. | Photo Credit: PTI
The second followed a similar pattern, with Hickey landing a corkscrew right near the bell and again earning a 4-1 split. However, the scores remained close, with four judges having the contest level at 19-19 entering the final round.
Parveen responded impressively, scoring with a left cross, right hand and repeated jabs while making Hickey miss with her corkscrew right. All five judges awarded the third round to the Indian, but Hickey’s early lead proved decisive.
Hickey won 29-28 on three cards, while Parveen took the other two 29-28.
More to follow…
Published on Jul 28, 2026
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