Following is a summary of current sports news briefs. NBA games in Macau test waters for China comeback The National Basketball Association's (NBA) games in Macau on Friday and Sunday are a test for a broader China comeback, experts and state media said, as Chinese fans descended on the world's biggest gambling hub to get a glimpse of the sport. The NBA is playing two pre-season games, dubbed the "China Games 2025", in the Chinese special administrative region, pitting the Brooklyn Nets against the Phoenix Suns at sold-out games in casino group Sands China's Venetian arena. Soccer-Match between Italy, Israel triggers high alert with pro-Palestinian march going ahead The city of Udine has put extraordinary security measures in place ahead of Italy's upcoming World Cup soccer qualifier with Israel, as a pro-Palestinian march will go ahead on the day of the game, even after Israel and Hamas agreed on a peace deal. The agreement, ratified by Israel's government on Friday, includes a ceasefire and plan to free Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. Rugby-US-based Major League Rugby to continue despite team departures Major League Rugby will be played next year and beyond, the U.S. rugby competition said on Friday, after three teams departed and another two announced they would merge. New Orleans Gold, Miami Sharks and Houston SaberCats announced this summer they would exit the league, while San Diego Legion and Rugby Football Club Los Angeles will unite in the creation of a new team, California Legion. Eagles WR A.J. Brown clarifies comments about 'meeting' Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown took to social media on Friday to clarify his postgame comments about failing to recall if he met with quarterback Jalen Hurts and running back Saquon Barkley to address the team's issues on offense. The "meeting" reportedly occurred on Monday, one day after the Eagles' 21-17 loss to the Denver Broncos. Tennis-Holder Sabalenka extends Wuhan streak to reach semis, Swiatek crashes Aryna Sabalenka extended her unbeaten run at the Wuhan Open to 20 matches with a 6-3 6-3 victory over Elena Rybakina on Friday, keeping alive her quest for a fourth straight title and setting up a semi-final clash with Jessica Pegula. Third seed Coco Gauff joined Sabalenka in the semi-finals with a comfortable 6-3 6-0 victory over German Laura Siegemund but second seed Iga Swiatek of Poland was stunned by Italian seventh seed Jasmine Paolini, who prevailed 6-1 6-2. Islanders F Jonathan Drouin suspended one game for cross-check New York Islanders forward Jonathan Drouin was suspended one game by the NHL Department of Player Safety on Friday, one day after he cross-checked Connor Dewar of the Pittsburgh Penguins. Drouin was assessed a five-minute major and a game misconduct with 15 seconds left in the third period Thursday. The Penguins spoiled the NHL debut of top overall pick Matthew Schaefer and the season opener for the Islanders with a 4-3 victory in Pittsburgh. Tennis-Medvedev in Shanghai semis as Rinderknech joins cousin Vacherot in last four A cramping Daniil Medvedev battled through physical discomfort and marathon rallies to defeat Alex de Minaur 6-4 6-4 on Friday, reaching the Shanghai Masters semi-finals for the first time since his 2019 title triumph. Medvedev's victory over the Australian seventh seed marks a milestone 50th career top-10 win for the former U.S. Open champion and sets up a last-four clash with Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech. NWSL roundup: Pride edge Thorns on own goal A Portland own goal during second-half stoppage time gave the Orlando Pride the needed tally to notch a 1-0 victory over the visiting Thorns on Friday night. Marta took a corner kick in the second minute of extra time and her boot went toward the mass of people flocking in front of the net. Portland goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold was eyeing the ball, but teammate Mallie McKenzie tried to clear it and the ball hit off the side of her head and went into the net. Unanimous picks A'ja Wilson, Napheesa Collier lead All-WNBA team Las Vegas Aces center A'Ja Wilson and Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier were unanimous selections to the 2025 All-WNBA first team announced Friday. Wilson and Collier each swept all 72 first-place ballots from a national panel of sportswriters and broadcasters. Athletics-Brown wins 100m, 200m at Athlos, Hodgkinson ends season on a high American Brittany Brown surprised herself with the sprint double at New York's Athlos meet on Friday, as Briton Keely Hodgkinson won the 800 metres to end her injury-dented season on a high. Brown exploded at the halfway mark and hung on through the final metres to win the shorter sprint in 10.99 seconds, beating compatriot Jacious Sears by just two hundredths of a second, with Kayla White (11.22) third.
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