Canada’s Ismael Kone suffered a scary injury early in the second half of his team’s World Cup game against Qatar on a tackle that earned a red card for Assim Madibo.
Canada’s players and coaches were incensed after the tackle, an immediate reaction indicating that Kone might have had a serious injury. Some players shoved back the Qatar opponents, while Canada manager Jesse Marsch and his staff could be heard on the broadcast incredulously asking the referee how the play could be called simply a foul. It later was upgraded to a red card.
Madibo put his hands over his head and waved his hands in the air, offering an apology for the severity of his tackle from behind.
After trainers put an air cast on his left leg, Kone was wheeled off the field on a stretcher. He waved to fans in Vancouver who were chanting his name.
The red card was Qatar’s second of the game with Homam Ahmed having been sent off in the 31st minute.
Canada midfielder Nathan Saliba replaced Kone in the 56th minute. He scored a fourth Canada eight minutes later from a free kick and ran to the bench where he was handed a KONE 8 jersey. He held it up, as fans cheered the goal.
Kone is a dynamic midfielder who was born in the Ivory Coast but moved to Montreal when he was seven. He came through the CF Montreal academy system and debuted with the MLS club in 2021. He quickly drew the attention of European clubs, moving to Watford in 2022. This was his second World Cup after Kone made his World Cup debut in 2022, just months after making his senior international debut in March of that year.
This story will be updated
World Cup standings
Explore live group standings, stats and the updated bracket with USA TODAY Sports here.
2026 World Cup format
The 48 competing nations are divided into 12 groups of four. Each group will play a round robin style where teams are awarded three points for a win and one point for a draw. The top two teams in each group advance to the Round of 32 along with the eight best third-place squads. Tiebreakers in the group standings will be resolved using the following criteria:
Greatest number of points obtained in the group matches between the teams concerned
Superior goal difference resulting from the group matches between the teams concerned
Greatest number of goals scored in all group matches between the teams concerned
Superior goal difference in all group matches
Greatest number of goals scored in all group matches
Highest team conduct score (players and team officials) relating to the number of yellow and red cards obtained
The two or more teams still equal on points shall be ranked according to the most recent published edition of the FIFA Men’s World Ranking
World Cup groups
Group A : Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, Czechia
Group B: Canada, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Qatar, Switzerland
Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland
Group D: United States, Paraguay, Australia, Turkey
Group E: Germany, Curacao, Ivory Coast, Ecuador
Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, Tunisia
Group G: Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand
Group H: Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay
Group I: France, Senegal, Iraq, Norway
Group J: Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan
Group K: Portugal, DR Congo, Uzbekistan, Colombia
Group L: England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama
Full rosters for 2026 World Cup teams
World Cup key dates

There might still be a debate about the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. The early consensus centered around BYU’s AJ Dybantsa. The analytics reportedly favored Duke’s Cameron Boozer. The speculation has now shifted to Dybantsa or Kansas guard Darryn Peterson, or perhaps all three still being considered, with less than a week until the Washington Wizards are officially on the clock with the first selection of the draft.
But AI hasn’t wavered in terms of the top of the 2026 draft class. Since the draft lottery was conducted last month, and the Wizards, Utah Jazz and Memphis Grizzlies wound up with the top three picks, Microsoft Copilot’s AI chatbot has consistently churned out the same prospects for those first three choices when prompted by USA TODAY Sports.
The same is not true for most picks outside of the top four prospects (Dybantsa, Peterson, Boozer and North Carolina’s Caleb Wilson). There was again a shift in selections made in the first AI mock draft since the conclusion of the NBA Finals, particularly in the latter half of the first half, based on the latest intel.
Here’s a breakdown of Microsoft Copilot AI’s latest 2026 NBA mock draft, including the chatbot’s reasoning for making each first-round pick:
2026 NBA mock draft by USA TODAY Sports
You can compare AI’s picks to the latest USA TODAY 2026 NBA mock draft by clicking here.
2026 NBA mock draft: AI picks entire first round
USA TODAY Sports asked Microsoft Copilot AI to generate a mock draft for the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft featuring only players eligible this year now that the NBA draft withdrawal deadline passed for college players. The chatbot was asked to base its selections on current mock drafts from reputable websites, as well as the latest intel on team needs, prospect analysis, pre-draft workouts and the most up-to-date draft withdrawal news.
Note: AI models still have issues with accuracy as seen in the mock draft below. Of particular note, Microsoft Copilot needed additional prompts after several picks were inaccurately assigned to teams. The average mock draft pick referenced for each player was compiled by USA TODAY Sports using 13 of the latest mock drafts from national websites around the country, including USA TODAY.
1. Washington Wizards: AJ Dybantsa, BYU
Average mock draft pick: 1
AI analysis: “A franchise-caliber scoring wing with elite shot creation tools, Dybantsa gives Washington the highest ceiling player in the class.”
2. Utah Jazz: Darryn Peterson, Kansas
Average mock draft pick: 2
AI analysis: “A dynamic lead guard with two-way upside, Peterson offers Utah a primary initiator to build around long term.”
3. Memphis Grizzlies: Cameron Boozer, Duke
Average mock draft pick: 3
AI analysis: “Boozer’s polished offensive game and physicality make him a plug-and-play frontcourt centerpiece.”
4. Chicago Bulls: Caleb Wilson, North Carolina
Average mock draft pick: 4
AI analysis: “Wilson’s defensive versatility and upside swing potential fits a Chicago team in talent acquisition mode.”
5. Los Angeles Clippers: Darius Acuff Jr., Arkansas
Average mock draft pick: 6
AI analysis: “Acuff brings explosive scoring and on-ball creation as a potential franchise point guard in a high-leverage slot.”
6. Brooklyn Nets: Mikel Brown Jr., Louisville
Average mock draft pick: 7
AI analysis: “Brown’s scoring burst and rising pre-draft momentum make him one of the top offensive guard bets.”
7. Sacramento Kings: Kingston Flemings, Houston
Average mock draft pick: 8
AI analysis: “With multiple guards in the same tier, Flemings gives Sacramento a high-upside playmaker without needing to trade up.”
8. Atlanta Hawks: Nate Ament, Tennessee
Average mock draft pick: 10
AI analysis: “Ament’s size, shot creation and upside fit cleanly next to Jalen Johnson as Atlanta prioritizes building around versatile forwards and wing-driven offense.”
9. Dallas Mavericks: Brayden Burries, Arizona
Average mock draft pick: 9
AI analysis: “Burries adds perimeter scoring and secondary playmaking to complement Cooper Flagg as Dallas reshapes its offensive hierarchy.”
10. Milwaukee Bucks: Keaton Wagler, Illinois
Average mock draft pick: 5
AI analysis: “Wagler gives Milwaukee a needed infusion of shot creation as it balances contention with long-term backcourt planning.”
11. Golden State Warriors: Aday Mara, Michigan
Average mock draft pick: 11
AI analysis: “Mara’s size and rim protection provide Golden State with a developmental anchor for its evolving frontcourt.”
12. Oklahoma City Thunder: Hannes Steinbach, Washington
Average mock draft pick: 16
AI analysis: “Steinbach’s skill and versatility fit Oklahoma City’s model of adding multi-dimensional, high-IQ frontcourt players.”
13. Miami Heat: Yaxel Lendeborg, Michigan
Average mock draft pick: 12
AI analysis: “Lendeborg’s toughness and readiness align with Miami’s preference for plug-and-play contributors.”
14. Charlotte Hornets: Labaron Philon, Alabama
Average mock draft pick: 15
AI analysis: “Philon gives Charlotte another dynamic guard to complement its fast-paced, offense-first identity.”
15. Chicago Bulls: Cameron Carr, Baylor
Average mock draft pick: 17
AI analysis: “Carr’s athleticism and scoring upside give Chicago another developmental wing to grow with its young core.”
16. Memphis Grizzlies: Morez Johnson Jr., Michigan
Average mock draft pick: 13
AI analysis: “Johnson adds physicality and rebounding to a Memphis roster that values frontcourt toughness and depth.”
17. Oklahoma City Thunder: Karim Lopez, New Zealand Breakers (NBL)
Average mock draft pick: 14
AI analysis: “Lopez offers long-term upside and positional flexibility as Oklahoma City continues to stockpile versatile talent.”
18. Charlotte Hornets: Chris Cenac Jr., Houston
Average mock draft pick: 20
AI analysis: “Cenac strengthens Charlotte’s interior defense as it builds out a more balanced roster.”
19. Toronto Raptors: Dailyn Swain, Texas
Average mock draft pick: 22
AI analysis: “Swain’s two-way profile fits Toronto’s continued emphasis on length, defense and position-less basketball.”
20. San Antonio Spurs: Jayden Quaintance, Kentucky
Average mock draft pick: 21
AI analysis: “Quaintance’s defensive ceiling and physical tools align with San Antonio’s patient developmental timeline.”
21. Detroit Pistons: Bennett Stirtz, Iowa
Average mock draft pick: 18
AI analysis: “Stirtz provides steady playmaking and leadership to help organize Detroit’s young roster.”
22. Philadelphia 76ers: Ebuka Okorie, Stanford
Average mock draft pick: 24
AI analysis: “Okorie adds scoring punch and guard depth for a Philadelphia team still prioritizing offensive firepower.”
23. Atlanta Hawks: Christian Anderson, Texas Tech
Average mock draft pick: 19
AI analysis: “Anderson gives Atlanta another shot-creator to complement its evolving wing-driven approach around Jalen Johnson.”
24. New York Knicks: Allen Graves, Santa Clara
Average mock draft pick: 23
AI analysis: “Graves’ versatility and feel project well into a complementary role for a Knicks team focused on depth.”
25. Los Angeles Lakers: Koa Peat, Arizona
Average mock draft pick: 25
AI analysis: “Peat’s size and scoring upside offer the Lakers a developmental forward with long-term potential.”
26. Denver Nuggets: Henri Veesaar, North Carolina
Average mock draft pick: 27
AI analysis: “Veesaar provides Denver with a skilled backup center option to support its frontcourt rotation.”
27. Boston Celtics: Meleek Thomas, Arkansas
Average mock draft pick: 26
AI analysis: “Thomas adds another scoring guard to Boston’s rotation, reinforcing its depth and offensive versatility.”
28. Minnesota Timberwolves: Isaiah Evans, Duke
Average mock draft pick: 28
AI analysis: “Evans’ shooting and wing scoring bolster Minnesota’s perimeter offense.”
29. Cleveland Cavaliers: Joshua Jefferson, Iowa State
Average mock draft pick: 30
AI analysis: “Jefferson’s energy and versatility give Cleveland a flexible piece in the frontcourt.”
30. Dallas Mavericks: Tarris Reed Jr., UConn

Thousands of Knicks fans – decked out in blue and orange jerseys, shorts, hats, necklaces and more – gathered in downtown New York City on Thursday to celebrate the team’s NBA championship in a lively ticker-tape parade.
All along Church Street, the street running parallel to the parade route, fans lit joints, threw back shots of Fireball whiskey and drank Coronas, within view of bemused and outnumbered New York City police officers. Some fans climbed atop police cruisers and posed for photos.
“We can do that?” one passerby asked, laughing. “Is this not illegal today?”
“I’m just glad to be a part of this fucking victory,” one of the men atop the police cruiser told the Guardian. “I’m glad to be a part of history!”
Wesley Chow, 27, from Astoria, Queens, first became a Knicks fan in 2012 during “Linsanity”, when the Asian American player Jeremy Lin became a Knicks fan favorite.
“Seeing someone that looked like me play in the league was hella inspiring,” said Chow, who was among the thousands gathered outside the gates hoping to steal even a distant glance of the Knicks players as they moved down a route that was one block away.
Chow added: “The people out here right now, you got people from all backgrounds, all neighborhoods, all to celebrate one thing. It’s crazy.”
The viewing areas for the parade were at capacity as early as 7.25am, per the NYPD, who blocked off access to Broadway. The parade, which kicked off several hours later at 10am, saw people marching from Battery Park to City Hall.
Zohran Mamdani – the mayor, who rightly predicted this would be one of the biggest parades the city had ever seen – was seen dancing on a float in the parade alongside the Knicks’ Karl-Anthony Towns. Towns’s teammate OG Anunoby was in the crowds talking to fans, holding both the NBA Cup in-season championship trophy and a bottle of tequila. The Knicks alumnus Carmelo Anthony danced on a float nearby. Longtime celebrity Knicks fans Spike Lee, Ben Stiller, Chris Rock and Timothée Chalamet were also in attendance.
Children climbed atop cars to chant “fuck you, Wemby!” – a reference to San Antonio Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama. Vendors sold T-shirts out of carts and suitcases, emblazoned with phrases like “CHAMPIONS” and “King Brunson” and “suck my Knick!”
A fan named Alan told the Guardian he came back to New York for the first time in nearly three years to be a part of the crowd. He carried a Polaroid camera and offered people photos for a few dollars each, mostly photographing moms with their sons and dads with their daughters.
“I just wanted to give them a memory of the day,” he said.
Another fan named Erica walked along Church Street with her young son, Milan. Originally from Italy, she’s been a casual Knicks fan for 20 years, but fell in love with the team after watching how happy they made her son. She said the Knicks had brought out the best in New York.
“Everybody is happy for one cause and we need that,” she said.
John Rivera was born and raised in New York, and was 13 when the Knicks last won the championship in 1973. They clinched the finals series this time on his 69th birthday.
“I was there for the Ewing era, when they kept losing against the Bulls, I was there in 99 when I thought they were gonna win it, I was there through it all. I always kept the faith though,” he said.
Rivera worked for NYC transit authority doing subway maintenance for 30 years before retiring to Florida. He flew back to New York this week for a funeral – for a friend he played stickball with growing up – and for the Puerto Rican Day parade in the Bronx. Being among Knicks fans on Thursday morning reminded him of how much he loved this city.
“It makes me feel wanted, it makes me feel like a part of the city again,” he said.
Barbara Etheredge, 33, from Newark, New Jersey, stood on a power box, with friends hanging from the traffic signs above. She’s a new Knicks fan, falling in love with the team through her boyfriend – who was among a crowd of fans who commandeered a nearby sanitation truck, chanting “LET’S GO KNICKS.”
“Everyone out here strangers,” she said of the sprawling crowd below her, “But we family now.”
Her newfound love for the Knicks is just as permanent as her newfound love for her boyfriend, she said. “He’s not going nowhere. I’m done. If he’s a Knicks fan I’m staying with them for ever. I’m loyal!”
The sweetness of Thursday’s celebration hardly ended there as the now-viral “Baklava Guy” – who was previously seen giving out his eponymous dessert to Knicks fans outside Madison Square Garden. – doled out baklava to fans at the parade.
Roy Donk, the owner of Good Baklava, told CBS: “There’s just special moments in New York history which we’re living right now, and I usually sell it, but there’s no chance of selling it right now.”
Benny Tuchman, a lifelong fan from Westchester, was observing the Shabbos with family and friends on the evening the Knicks won game 5.
“We had to wait until the second quarter to watch,” he remembered, laughing. When they finally turned the TV on the Knicks were down 15. “But we knew 15 was nothing for this team,” he said, referring to a series of miraculous comebacks during the playoffs.
He knew coming to the parade that he probably wouldn’t get close enough to see the team. Looking out at the thousands of his fellow fans he said: “This is why we came. I just wanted to see the people. I just wanted to see everyone happy.” His friend chimed in: “This is what makes sports great.” Another friend added: “It’s the equalizer.”

It’s time for the U.S. Open. The golf world is descending on Shinnecock Hills outside of New York City for the third major championship of the season. And, per usual, top-ranked Scottie Scheffler is the betting favorite.
If Scheffler can pull it off come Sunday afternoon, he’ll officially secure the career grand slam. He’ll head out with amateur Mason Howell and last year’s winner J.J. Spaun on Thursday morning.
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Rory McIlroy will go off just before him, marking his first time competing back in New York since the Ryder Cup. Last fall at Bethpage Black, when McIlroy led the Europeans to the win, American fans took things too far while insulting him, his wife, and the rest of their team.
Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau are the biggest LIV Golf members in the field this week. DeChambeau will go off in the afternoon wave with Viktor Hovland and Matt Fitzpatrick. Rahm, who came in second at the PGA Championship, is paired up with Justin Rose and Jordan Spieth in the first two rounds.
There’s a lot of golf to be played the next four days. We’ll see how things shake out.
How to watch the U.S. Open
Thursday, June 18
USA Network: 6:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. ET
Peacock, NBCSN: 5 – 8 p.m. ET
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Notable Thursday Tee Times
All times ET; * denotes 10th tee start
7:30 a.m. : Brooks Koepka, Cam Young, Chris Gotterup
7:52 a.m.*: Rory McIlroy, Ludvig Aberg, Tommy Fleetwood
8:14 a.m.: Scottie Scheffler, Mason Howell (a), J.J. Spaun
1:14 p.m.*: Aaron Rai, Collin Morikawa, Jason Day
1:25 p.m.*: Bryson DeChambeau, Viktor Hovland, Matt Fitzpatrick
1:47 p.m.: Justin Thomas, Hideki Matsuyama, Xander Schauffele
2:09 p.m.*: Justin Rose, Jordan Spieth, Jon Rahm
For the full list of tee times, click here.
Keep up with all of Thursday’s action at the U.S. Open with Yahoo Sports.

The Oklahoma Sooners continued their unprecedented run in Omaha on Wednesday, defeating the Georgia Bulldogs to punch their ticket to the championship series.
Oklahoma, a relative nonfactor in the SEC during the regular season, has been on a tear over the past month. The Sooners lost their opening game of the SEC tournament in May, but have lost just once since, cruising through the NCAA tournament en route to the program’s first title game appearance since 2022.
Now that all the background is out of the way, let’s get down to business.
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During the ninth inning of Wednesday’s blowout loss to Oklahoma, Bulldogs shortstop Kolby Branch belted a home run in his final collegiate at-bat. His brother, Kyle, is an infielder for the Sooners, and was at second base for his brother’s final blast.
The two then shared a surreal moment during Kolby’s trot:
College baseball continues to deliver
“Unbelievable, you can’t script it up any better,” Kolby said after the game. “It’s a good moment, high-fived him, which is kinda cool, and then I wished him luck in the National Championship.”
I’ve said it all tournament long — college baseball is the last of a dying breed in terms of college athletics. It’s sad, but true. We live in the (miserable) era of NIL and the transfer portal. It’s been that way for a few years now, and we’ve certainly lost a little of the magic.
Cinderellas are all but dead. School loyalty is a thing of the past. Recruiting is all based on how big a program’s checkbook is. It’s just a mess.
GEORGIA PLAYER HITS MAMMOTH GO-AHEAD HOME RUN, PROMPTLY GETS EJECTED FOR EXCESSIVE CELEBRATION DURING TROT
But college baseball, unlike football or basketball, still has a pulse. We’ve seen throughout this tournament that all of that is still alive.
“Country Roads” at West Virginia.
Mid-majors (Troy) making a run.
Upsets, Cinderellas and bracket-busters.
We’ve gotten all of it over the past month, and this moment between the Branch Brothers — with the entire family in attendance — was just the latest example.
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What a tournament. Sadly, we’re near the end. Oklahoma and North Carolina will face off in a best-of-three series starting Saturday. There’s still time for a little more CWS magic.
If the past month has been any indication, we’ll probably get it.