The latest NBA Draft rumors include Scoot Henderson's pre-draft workouts, the Lakers' No. 17 pick and the Spurs getting the best of both worlds.The NBA Finals may be dominating the spotlight right now but we're only a few weeks away from the NBA Draft and the rumor mill is spinnin...

Republic of Ireland captain Katie McCabe has urged the squad to harness the spirit of the underdog ahead of Thursday’s World Cup opener against Australia. The World Cup debutants begin their Group B campaign against the co-hosts, who are 12 places above them in the FIFA rankings and will be backed by the majority of the 80,000 crowd at Sydney’s Stadium. It will be only the second match between the nations but Ireland won 3-2 when they met back in 2021, thanks to a goal from Denise O’Sullivan, who has been declared fit for the fixture. McCabe, who overcome her own injury scare a fortnight ago, said: “Yeah, it is something as a small nation, you kind of carry that (underdog) title I guess. “We know we are debutants in the tournament, but we know what we want to do. We don’t want to just be happy to be here. “We want to compete and give Australia, Canada and Nigeria the hardest games possible. That will start tomorrow night and it is exciting. “We know what Australia have, they have quality all over the park but we also know what we can do.” We're Irish, we don't shy away from physicality. It is ingrained in us Ireland captain Katie McCabe Head coach Vera Pauw referenced their slogan ‘outbelieve’ when looking ahead to playing Australia and insisted they would not buckle under pressure after coming through stern examinations with Sweden, Finland and Scotland to qualify for a first-ever major tournament. “That word will end up in the dictionary because we outbelieve we can do something special here,” Pauw reiterated. “That is how we ended up here because we outbelieve and we did something that nobody expected, but we are realistic. “We are very realistic, otherwise you cannot succeed, but the key thing everybody will feel is we have no fear of failure. “We are a team who so far we did not collapse on the higher pressure, whether it was away in a record crowd with Sweden, away with a record crowd in Finland or at Hampden Park and in our stadium with record crowds.” The Girls in Green only arrived in Sydney this week, but were greeted by floods of Irish fans, with a large community based Down Under. Arsenal midfielder McCabe added: “It’s crazy to think we’re actually here. We landed only a short while ago in Sydney airport, greeted by a number of Irish fans, so it was really nice to see them there. “They are our home away from home, I guess and to see the numbers who have travelled, the pictures online of people here in Sydney, is really special. “I think the whole team feel that. Not just players but staff as well, the support we have from here and back home as well. No doubt we want to do the nation proud tomorrow night.” Pauw revealed: “We knew there would be fans, but again it is so heart-warming every time the way the Irish are reacting on us. It is not just being there, it is way they are there.” Meanwhile, Ireland have firmly put their friendly fiasco with Colombia behind them after 101-capped O’Sullivan was confirmed to be fit enough to face Australia. North Carolina Courage captain O’Sullivan suffered a soft tissue and bone bruise injury during a warm-up match on Friday with the South Americans that was aborted after only 20 minutes due to it being an “overly physical” contest. But Pauw confirmed: “Denise is fit, she will play.” McCabe concluded: “For us now it is full focus on Australia. We knew Colombia would be physical but it will be the case in every single game. “We’re Irish, we don’t shy away from physicality. It is ingrained in us.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Football rumours: Leicester’s Harvey Barnes closing in on Newcastle move ‘Empowered’ England won’t be distracted by bonus row, Lucy Bronze insists Schedule announced for 2025 British and Irish Lions tour of Australia

Younghoe Koo lined up a 37-yard field goal that would decide the Atlanta Falcons-Houston Texans game and sent it toward the uprights. Its exact trajectory went

American footballer Megan Rapinoe says an injury in her final professional game is “proof” that God doesn’t exist. Rapinoe suffered a game-ending injury in her final ever appearance in professional football and the National Women’s Soccer League Championship, following her final game for the US national women’s football team in September. On Sunday 12 November, Rapinoe’s team OL Reign took on Gotham FC in a final. But, the football star suffered a suspected Achilles injury in the 6th minute of the game, leaving her unable to continue. OL Reign eventually lost 2-1. The sad way she ended her career had Rapinoe getting philosophical, as she said it was a sign that there is no God. In a post-match press conference, Rapinoe said: “I’m not a religious person or anything and if there was a God, like, this is proof that there isn’t.” She added: “This is f**ked up. It’s just f**ked up. Six minutes in and I eat my Achilles.” The seemingly innocuous incident happened as Rapinoe was running to get into a defensive position and didn't involve any other player. In an interview with The Seattle Times, she explained: “Everyone is always like, ‘Who kicked me?’ And obviously, no one was even around me, and I was pressing.” “That’s what it felt like. Just a huge pop and I can’t even feel where the Achilles is, but pretty sure I tore my Achilles. The worst possible outcome.” She added: “Thank God I have a f**king deep well of a sense of humour. It’s devastating to go out in a final so early.” Over her illustrious career, Rapinoe has achieved several accolades, including winning the Ballon d'Or Féminin and being named The Best FIFA Women's Player in 2019. She scored over goals at the international level and 66 for her clubs. How to join the indy100's free WhatsApp channel Sign up to our free indy100 weekly newsletter Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

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