Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins and defensive end Maxx Crosby were both absent from practice today (August 8) following an altercation during yesterday’s session.
Five-time Pro Bowler Crosby struck Cousins, the Raiders’ starting QB, twice during practice. After the second hit, Cousins confronted Crosby, grabbing his jersey, leading to teammates intervening as they exchanged heated words.
Raiders Stars Face Consequences
Despite the altercation, both players returned to the field after the incident.
The Raiders acquired Cousins, a seasoned 15-year veteran, as a free agent in April, aiming to mentor quarterback Fernando Mendoza, the top overall pick in this year’s NFL draft.
“That’s what training camp is about; it’s just two leaders of our squad having a moment,” stated Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak after practice yesterday.
However, today’s atmosphere was noticeably different.
Mendoza Takes First-Team Reps
“We have specific expectations regarding our practice conduct, and we did not meet those yesterday. Consequently, we decided to hold those players out. That’s all I will comment on,” Kubiak mentioned.
The Raiders are taking a day off tomorrow, with both players expected back for practice on Monday.
Mendoza participated with the first-team offense today, throwing passes to players like Brock Bowers and Tre Tucker.
“[Fernando] continues to show improvement,” said Kubiak. “He gets better each day. Every practice brings new challenges – today it was dealing with crowd noise. Every rookie experiences this transition; there will be ups and downs, but progress is what we aim for.”
Wynn’s Perspective on NBA Expansion
During Wynn Resorts’ Q2 2026 earnings call with analysts and investors (August 4), CEO Craig Billings discussed the potential implications of a National Basketball Association (NBA) expansion team in Las Vegas.
The NBA’s Board of Governors voted on March 25 to officially investigate expansion opportunities in Las Vegas and Seattle. Since this announcement, numerous influential groups have stepped forward with plans for expansion teams and new arenas.
Owner of the Vegas Golden Knights, Bill Foley, is spearheading one bid to establish a team in T-Mobile Arena alongside his NHL squad.
Other prominent bids include a group led by Jerry Colangelo and one featuring NBA legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson, both proposing brand-new, modern arenas.
NBA Could Enhance Visitor Footfall
When asked about collaborating with one of the groups vying for an NBA franchise to develop an arena on land owned by Wynn on the Las Vegas Strip, Billings expressed optimism.
He noted that a new NBA team would increase visitors to the city, not just for basketball but also for other professional teams, including the Raiders, the Golden Knights, and the Oakland Athletics, which are set to relocate to Las Vegas for the Major League Baseball (MLB) 2028 season.
“If you consider the various sports teams in Vegas, you can identify leagues with a high number of games per year versus leagues, like the NFL, that have a limited schedule, typically around weekends,” he elaborated.
Competitive Landscape for NBA Bidders
“It is the latter category, particularly the Raiders, that I believe provides significant benefits to the city, as they enhance visitor numbers, especially premium clientele that attend those games,” he added.
“The NBA exists in a middle ground, so we would be thrilled to see an NBA franchise in Las Vegas. We generally attract high-value visitors associated with the league and rival teams. They are exceptional clientele.”
Lynx Pull Ahead Late
In a potential Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) playoff preview, the Minnesota Lynx (26-7) triumphed over the Las Vegas Aces (22-10) earlier today, 98-87, at Target Center in Minneapolis.
The Lynx, now leading the WNBA Western Conference, secured a playoff spot with this victory. Olivia Miles scored 26 points for the Lynx, while Jackie Young topped the Aces’ score with 23 points, and A’ja Wilson contributed 16 points and eight rebounds.
The Aces recorded a 4-1 record since the WNBA All-Star break prior to this match and now stand at 2-2 on a five-game road trip.
Aces Prepare for Brooklyn Matchup
Minnesota led by four points at halftime and expanded their lead to double digits by the end of the third quarter. Las Vegas rallied with a 7-0 run, but then Napheesa Collier responded with seven consecutive points, including two three-pointers from assists by Miles, re-establishing their advantage.
The Aces currently hold the third position in the Western Conference, trailing the Lynx by 3.5 games. Their next matchup is in Brooklyn tomorrow at 12:30 p.m. EDT against the New York Liberty (19-13).