From drama with the Raiders to another victory for the Las Vegas Aces, here’s everything that happened last week in Las Vegas sports.
#6 Hunter Renfrow comments on his new contract with the Las Vegas Raiders
The Las Vegas Raiders are building towards the future this offseason, and what better way to do that than locking down their star wide receiver? That’s exactly what Las Vegas is doing by signing Hunter Renfrow to a two-year, $32 million extension with $21 million guaranteed. The deal will keep him with the team until 2024.
“It was incredible, as you can expect,” Renfrow said when asked about his new contract. “A lot of hard work is coming to it. It lets me play with the guys in the locker room for a couple more years. So it was an honor, and I’m very thankful. “
#5 Kurt Busch sidelined again due to concussion-like symptoms
Las Vegas native Kurt Busch got sidelined two weeks ago after a vicious wreck at Pocono Raceway, and his condition hasn’t gotten any better. It was announced late last week that Busch would again be sidelined, with Ty Gibbs as his replacement for the Indianapolis road course.
“Following medical evaluations after his wreck at Pocono Raceway last Saturday, Kurt Busch has not been cleared by the NASCAR medical team to return to competition this weekend at the Indianapolis road course,” 23XI Racing said in a statement. “Ty Gibbs will again fill in for Kurt in the No. 45 Monster Energy Toyota Camry TRD. Kurt’s health is of the utmost importance to the team, and we wish him all the best as he prepares for his return.
While NASCAR granted Kurt Busch a playoff waiver, he is dangerously close to falling out of contention. This is because The Cup Series currently has 14 different winners this season, close to the 16-driver cutout. Unfortunately for Busch, he could face elimination if three or more new drivers win a race. Whether that happens or not, with so few races, is anyone’s guess, but it will be close.
#4 Las Vegas Aces defeat Chicago Sky to win Commissioner’s Cup
The Las Vegas Aces have something special this season and proved it by defeating the Chicago Sky in the Commissioners Cup on July 26. The final score was 93-83, and everyone contributed something to the victory. The effort was headed by Kelsey Plum, who scored 24 points, six assists, and two rebounds.
A’ja Wilson contributed 17 points, 17 rebounds, and two assists in what had to be one of her best performances. The Aces also made headlines this week after earning a guaranteed spot in the playoffs in the fall. This all comes after Becky Hammon assumed the mantle of Head Coach in 2022 and brought the team to new heights.
#3 Zamir White misses Las Vegas Raiders practice
Zamir White was recently drafted by the Las Vegas Raiders, and the team had high hopes for him. However, things don’t seem to be coming to fruition after he missed his third straight practice of the offseason. This is creating a lot of buzz around an already murky Running back situation and could be his downfall.
Las Vegas is already considering making significant changes to the running back position, but White isn’t there to capitalize! Some experts even speculate that him missing training camp will contribute to him getting fewer touches. That’s terrible news for a guy looking to make an immediate impact and could cost him a few spots on the depth chart.
#2 Update on Kyle Busch’s future with Joe Gibbs Racing
What does the future hold for Las Vegas native and two-time Cup Series Champion Kyle Busch? That question becomes more difficult to answer as time passes and news flies from every direction. Despite the lack of clarity, everyone involved wants Kyle Busch to stay at Joe Gibbs Racing.
“It’d be like Dale Earnhardt in 1998, three or four years after winning his last champion, being on the free agency market and not having a ride. That just sounds crazy,” Busch said when asked about his ongoing sponsorship situation with Joe Gibbs Racing. “I don’t know what to do, how to fix that.”
Kyle Busch is even claiming he would be willing to take a pay cut to stay with JGR. Fellow Cup Series champion Kevin Harvick stated in an interview that he is open to Busch coming to Stewart Haas Racing. The move would mark the first time Kyle Busch has ever been in a Ford and would be teammates with several former rivals. There’s just a lot going on here.
#1 Josh McDaniels goes off on a player during practice
Josh McDaniels was not messing around and proved that during training camp last week. The incident occurred during a scramble drill, where Defensive End Malcolm Koonce almost collided with Derek Carr. It is worth noting that this always happens at training camp, but McDaniels didn’t seem happy. McDaniels could be seen in a video obtained by the Las Vegas Review-Journal screaming at Koonce after it all unfolded. He then told the player to “get the F out of the way.”
