NEW YORK (AP) — LeBron James will likely have a few things to say about free agency, the state of the NBA and his own future on July 16.
James — the NBA's all-time leading scorer — will be appearing at Fanatics Fest NYC that day at the Javits Center in New York and recording a live version of the “Mind the Game” video podcast with Indiana guard Tyrese Haliburton, the sports apparel giant announced Wednesday.
The taping will come roughly 2 1/2 weeks after the start of NBA free agency. James has not yet announced if he will return next season for a 24th year of his record-setting career. He just finished his eighth season with the Los Angeles Lakers and could elect to stay with that team or sign elsewhere as a free agent.
Whatever his choice is, it would seem likely that James announces something long before that July 16 podcast taping.
“None of us in here know what the future holds,” James said last week when the Lakers' season ended with a second-round playoff loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. “None of us. Nobody has any idea what the future holds. And I don’t either. Like I said, I’ll take time to recalibrate and look over the season and see what’s best for my future. And when I get to that point, everyone will know.”
Fanatics Fest will run through July 19 — the day of the FIFA World Cup final, being played nearby in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The event will play host to the teams that make the World Cup final for news conferences on July 17.
The “Mind the Game” episode with James and Haliburton will be released on July 21 on YouTube, Prime Video and other platforms.
The event is a sports fan festival, with organizers describing it as “bringing together athletes, leagues, collectors, brands, and fans for a multi-day celebration of sports and culture.” Many of the biggest names in sports are expected to attend over the four days.
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/nba
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James stands on the court in the closing minutes of Game 4 in a second-round NBA basketball playoffs series against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Monday, May 11, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, center, goes up for a dunk as Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort, left, and guard Ajay Mitchell watch during the second half of Game 4 in a second-round NBA basketball playoffs series Monday, May 11, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
CINCINNATI (AP) — Ronald Acuña Jr. homered for a third straight game — hitting a pair of solo shots — to lead the Atlanta Braves over the Cincinnati Reds 5-2 on Saturday night.
Acuña homered to right-center field off Brady Singer (2-5) to tie it at 2 in the third inning. The 2023 NL MVP capped the scoring with a two-out shot in the ninth off Lyon Richardson. He also stole two bases to help the Braves become the first team to 40 wins.
Jorge Mateo hit his third homer — to the second deck in left field off Singer for a 3-2 lead in the fifth. Matt Olson followed with his 16th — off Brock Burke — to make it 4-2 in the seventh.
Martín Pérez (3-3) allowed two runs and four hits and walked three in five innings to earn the win. Three relievers each pitched a scoreless inning before Raisel Iglesias closed it with a perfect ninth for his 10th save.
Ozzie Albies hit a ground-rule double leading off the second before scoring on a single by Mike Yastrzemski to put Atlanta up 1-0.
Spencer Steer drew a one-out walk from Pérez to extend his on-base streak to 18 games and JJ Bleday hit his ninth home run and second in as many days to put the Reds up 2-1 after two innings.
De La Cruz answered with a one-out triple, but was stranded when Pérez retired Sal Stewart on a grounder to third before striking out Eugenio Suárez to keep it 2-2.
Singer gave up three runs and four hits and four walks in five innings. He has allowed eight home runs in his last 12 innings.
The Braves improved to 23-9 on the road — best in the majors.
Braves RHP Spencer Strider (3-0, 3.46) starts Sunday as Atlanta aims for a sweep of the Reds, who'll start LHP Nick Lodolo (1-1, 5.57).
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
Atlanta Braves pitcher Raisel Iglesias, right, celebrates with catcher Chadwick Tromp after winning a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds in Cincinnati, Saturday, May 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Brady Singer throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves in Cincinnati, Saturday, May 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Atlanta Braves right fielder Ronald Acuña Jr. watches his solo home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds in Cincinnati, Saturday, May 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Atlanta Braves pitcher Martin Perez throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds in Cincinnati, Saturday, May 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Atlanta Braves right fielder Ronald Acuña Jr. reacts as he crosses home plate after hitting a solo home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds in Cincinnati, Saturday, May 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
