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TOPNBA Star Jalen Williams Says He Retired His Parents, Opens Up on $287 Million Extension
Oklahoma City Thunder star Jalen Williams discussed his rapid rise from an unknown college player to one of the NBA's top young talents within just three years during an interview with TMZ Sports at LAX. Williams, the 12th overall pick in the 2022 draft, highlighted his successful 2025 season, which included All-Star and All-Defensive team selections, winning an NBA championship, and securing a massive five-year, $287 million contract extension. Williams described his journey as "surreal," emphasizing how quickly his life changed. He expressed particular pride in being able to retire his parents, Ronald and Nicole Williams, as a result of his success. Both parents served in the Air Force; Ronald worked as a jet engine mechanic and logistics specialist for 24 years, while Nicole worked in the medical field. Despite his achievements and new contract, Williams admitted he hasn't fully processed everything, including his significant payday, noting that the money hasn't hit his bank account yet. He also mentioned his focus on supporting his brother Cody Williams' professional career with the Utah Jazz, stating he plans to eventually step back and "soak it all in." On the court, Williams played a crucial role in the Thunder's NBA Finals victory over the Indiana Pacers during the 2024-25 season, averaging 21.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game.
Views 3189Likes 2762
TOPJalen Green risks upsetting Suns' fans with comments on Houston Rockets
The Phoenix Suns have undergone significant roster changes with at least nine new players added this offseason, potentially including more moves. The acquisition of Jalen Green from the Houston Rockets in the Kevin Durant trade is a key development, though questions remain about how his skills will fit alongside Devin Booker, particularly given their overlapping roles. A recent secret workout involving Green added further intrigue. Green expressed sadness about leaving Houston, calling it "home" where he started his NBA career and built connections, acknowledging the trade was a business decision. While not explicitly stating regret, the report suggests he felt "blind-sided" by the move. Optimistically, this could motivate Green to have his best season yet with Phoenix, though integrating him with Booker presents a challenge. Green emphasized a lesson learned in Houston: becoming a great player requires being an excellent defender, not just a scorer – a sentiment welcomed by Suns fans. However, concerns exist that if Houston becomes a contender led by Durant, Green might look back and wish he was still there. His trade value around the league was reportedly lower than Phoenix anticipated before acquiring him. The Suns prioritize players committed to Phoenix, exemplified by Devin Booker's lucrative extension and positive statements from other recent additions like rookies Ryan Dunn and Oso Ighodaro. Green's comments expressing attachment to Houston stand in contrast to this desired mindset. The report stresses that for both Green and the Suns to succeed, he needs to focus forward, not dwell on Houston. His potential to become an All-Star depends on this forward-looking attitude, as lingering thoughts could negatively impact the team's positive momentum.
Views 5132Likes 5128
Liberty Star Sabrina Ionescu Among City's Top Athletes
SNY released its ranking of the top 10 metropolitan professional athletes, with New York Liberty star Sabrina Ionescu placing ninth. The list was headlined by New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge in the top spot. Ionescu is one of three basketball players on the list, joined by New York Knicks players Jalen Brunson (second) and Karl-Anthony Towns (fifth). SNY's analysis highlights Ionescu as a key reason the Liberty won their first-ever WNBA championship last year, ending New York City's professional basketball title drought since 1973. She is recognized as the Liberty's most recognizable star due to her regular-season performances, four All-Star selections, setting the WNBA three-point contest record (37 points) in 2023, and her competitive performance against Stephen Curry in the "Sabrina vs. Stephen" event. Since being drafted first overall in 2020, Ionescu has become the undisputed homegrown face of the Liberty franchise. She was instrumental in their championship run last fall, notably hitting a game-winning buzzer-beater in Game 3 of the Finals against the Minnesota Lynx. This season, Ionescu became the Liberty's all-time leader in three-pointers and earned her fourth All-Star selection, where she aims to defend her three-point contest title. She is averaging a career-high 18.8 points per game through her first 19 games, showing improvements in her mid-range and defensive play. Aaron Judge leads the SNY list amid a dominant season where he hit 35 home runs by the MLB All-Star break. Other baseball players on the list include Francisco Lindor (third) and Juan Soto (fourth). Ionescu's Liberty teammate Breanna Stewart received an honorable mention.
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Basketballer almost killed in one-punch attack returns to NBL
Harry Froling has signed with the Illawarra Hawks as an injury replacement player in the National Basketball League (NBL). This return follows his recovery from a devastating one-punch assault in 2023, which caused life-threatening bleeding on the brain. Froling is set to join the team for pre-season training and will take to the court at the start of the 2025-26 season, reflecting on his past by stating he lived life "in the fast lane" the first time around.
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'I Thought it Was Fake' – Memphis Grizzlies’ Ja Morant Gets 100% Real on the Desmond Bane Trade
Ja Morant expressed shock upon learning about the Memphis Grizzlies' trade of teammate Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic last month. The deal involved Memphis receiving Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Cole Anthony (who will reportedly join Milwaukee after a buyout), and multiple future draft picks in exchange for Bane. Morant admitted initially doubting the trade's authenticity when seeing it online. Despite missing Bane as a teammate, Morant characterized the transaction as mutually beneficial. He believes Bane addresses Orlando's missing piece as "the piece they've been missing" on their talented roster, while simultaneously serving Memphis' interests. The article notes Memphis' active offseason beyond this trade, highlighting their acquisition of Caldwell-Pope, Ty Jerome, and Jock Landale. The team also secured multi-year contract extensions for Santi Aldama, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Cam Spencer. Morant specifically praised the new additions, describing Caldwell-Pope as a "big-time" veteran presence whose defensive expertise will mentor young players. Regarding Jerome, Morant emphasized his value as "another solid guard" and ballhandler who demonstrated significant contributions with Cleveland last season, capable of creating opportunities for both himself and teammates.
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Eastern Notes: Robinson, Richardson, Embiid, Dadiet
Duncan Robinson, acquired by the Detroit Pistons from the Miami Heat in a sign-and-trade, was impressed by the Pistons during their three intense matchups last season. He highlighted their physicality, toughness, hard play, and ball-sharing as standout qualities, stating it's the type of system and group he wants to play with. Robinson will reunite with former University of Michigan teammate Caris LeVert, who signed with the Pistons as a free agent on a two-year deal. Robinson emphasized their long-standing friendship since college and praised LeVert as both an incredible player and an exceptional teammate. He expressed excitement about reuniting with LeVert and noted the Pistons team has been welcoming. The subsequent text regarding the Philadelphia 76ers ("Sixers should move forward...", "Trade Embiid...") and the login/register prompt appears to be user-generated forum comments or site navigation elements, not part of the core news content about Duncan Robinson and the Pistons. Therefore, it is not summarized as part of the news.
Views 4182Likes 3743
Shocking Chet Holmgren contract reaction coins deal as 'dumbest' in NBA history
The Oklahoma City Thunder have committed to significant offseason spending, totaling $877.21 million in new contracts, with the majority ($822 million+) going to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren. While max extensions for Gilgeous-Alexander and Williams were widely expected, Holmgren's max deal ($250 million) faced skepticism from some due to his injury history and recent playoff shooting struggles. Fox Sports' Craig Carton strongly criticized Holmgren's contract during a discussion on "Breakfast Ball," labeling it potentially "the dumbest contract ever signed in the history of the NBA" and asserting Holmgren is not a "$50 million a year player." Carton implied Holmgren rode his teammates' coattails to the 2025 NBA Championship. However, the article counters Carton's view by detailing Holmgren's pivotal role in the Thunder's championship victory. Despite poor shooting in the Finals (12.3 PPG, 39.5% FG, 15.8% 3PT), Holmgren led the series in rebounding (8.9 RPG) and played exceptional defense, notably holding Myles Turner to 37.7% shooting and a negative plus-minus. He anchored the Thunder's historic defense, led the entire NBA playoffs in plus-minus (+169), and set a Game 7 Finals record with five blocks. Furthermore, Holmgren achieved this after returning from a four-month injury absence just two months before the playoffs, requiring him to shake off rust during the high-pressure title run. The article argues that even if this playoff run was Holmgren's career-worst performance, he was still a key reason for the championship. It concludes that signing Holmgren to the max extension was the right move for OKC, emphasizing his value extends far beyond offensive statistics, which Carton seemingly ignored.
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Lakers Fans Excited After Luka Doncic NBA Offseason Update
Luka Doncic has made a significant impact since joining the Los Angeles Lakers midway through the 2024-25 season via a blockbuster trade that sent Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks. In 28 regular-season games, he averaged 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.5 assists, helping the Lakers achieve 50 wins and secure the third seed in the Western Conference. The Lakers front office aims to secure Doncic as their long-term franchise cornerstone. He becomes eligible for a four-year, approximately $228 million extension on August 2nd, and the organization is actively working to finalize this deal to keep him with the team. During the offseason, Doncic has been spotted looking noticeably leaner, drawing praise from fans for his improved fitness and fueling optimism for an even stronger performance next season. He has also been seen interacting with fans in various parts of Europe. Recently, Doncic attended a private Jordan Brand event in Athens, Greece, hosted by Michael Jordan. He was joined by Miami Heat star Bam Adebayo. Videos circulated online showing the two players laughing, toasting drinks, and enjoying the party, with Adebayo calling Doncic "the MVP of the group". This sighting sparked enthusiastic reactions from Lakers fans on social media. Many fans humorously speculated about the possibility of Adebayo joining the Lakers, with comments ranging from imagining the pair on the same team to joking about potential trades or declaring "Bam to the Lakers confirmed."
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Minnesota Lynx Could Use Some Rest Days
The Minnesota Lynx are experiencing a demanding stretch of games, prompting suggestions that the team could benefit from incorporating some rest days soon. Despite this heavy schedule, the Lynx hold the No. 2 spot in recent WNBA rankings, boasting an 18-4 record largely due to the MVP-caliber performance of Napheesa Collier. They currently maintain a three-game lead over Phoenix in the standings. Analyst Sabreena Merchant highlights the team's grueling schedule: eight games in 14 days, including two back-to-backs and games still before the All-Star break, following the physically taxing Commissioner's Cup final. This fatigue is visibly impacting performance. Collier's three-point shooting has plummeted from 39.6% to 31% (3 for her last 23), and Kayla McBride is struggling (13 of 41 from three, 7 of 25 from two-point range recently), including costly low-scoring games. Fatigue also contributed to a significant 45-28 rebounding deficit against Chicago, despite average rebounding stats suggesting a closer matchup. Securing rebounds in crucial moments is vital for the Lynx, as for any team. To ensure a strong lineup for the latter part of the season, coach Cheryl Reeve and management might look to add another veteran, especially after waiving Alissa Pili. Collier's performance is expected to improve once the hectic schedule eases in the coming weeks.
Views 5152Likes 668
Celtics' Major Free Agent Acquisition Reveals Why He Chose Boston
The Boston Celtics face significant changes at the center position for the upcoming season with Kristaps Porzingis, Luke Kornet, and likely Al Horford departing. To address this, the team acquired Luka Garza, formerly of the Minnesota Timberwolves, signing him to a reported two-year, $5.5 million contract. Garza expressed his enthusiasm for joining the Celtics during his introductory press conference, highlighting the franchise's prestigious history and winning culture as major attractions. He described himself as a "big basketball junkie" and stated that the opportunity to wear the Celtics uniform was "attractive enough." He further emphasized seeing significant opportunity in the frontcourt and feeling that the Celtics front office and coaches believe in his abilities, making it a good fit for his career stage. Garza outlined the key elements of his game that make him impactful. He identified playing hard as his primary skill, believing it compensates for other limitations. Having gained four years of NBA experience, he noted improvements in his understanding, IQ, angles, and defensive capabilities. Offensively, he expressed strong confidence in his ability to help the team by creating good offense and flow through scoring, passing, screening, and facilitating shots for himself and teammates. Due to the Celtics' lack of proven centers on the current roster, Garza is expected to contend for significant playing time, with a possibility of earning a starting role. His career NBA averages over four seasons are 4.9 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 0.1 blocks per game in 7.8 minutes.
Views 5701Likes 2685
Duncan Robinson Sends Message to Detroit Pistons Fans
After concluding his tenure with the Miami Heat, Duncan Robinson has officially joined the Detroit Pistons. He was introduced to local media during the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas on Sunday, coinciding with the Pistons' second Summer League matchup. Robinson expressed his enthusiasm via social media, posting: "What up, Doe! It’s Duncan here. I’m out here Vegas Summer League watching these young guys compete. I’m super excited to be joining the Pistons. I can’t wait to get to Detroit and get this thing rolling. Go Pistons!" The move followed Robinson's early exit from his Heat contract this offseason. Though he considered re-signing with Miami under different terms, he ultimately agreed to a deal with Detroit via a sign-and-trade. The transaction involved the Pistons sending veteran Simone Fontecchio to the Heat in exchange for Robinson. Robinson brings significant shooting prowess to Detroit, having averaged 11 points with a 40% three-point accuracy across 420+ career games. While he won't immediately play for the Pistons, his six years of playoff experience is expected to provide valuable depth once NBA training camps begin.
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Ranking Collier, Wilson, Clark and the best 25 players in the WNBA
The WNBA midseason player rankings by ESPN focus solely on current season performance, leading to the exclusion of typically ranked players who haven't played at least half their team's games (like Jonquel Jones and Kahleah Copper) and the inclusion of rookies this time. Napheesa Collier (Forward, Minnesota Lynx, Preseason rank: 2) tops the list for the first time. She leads the league in scoring by a significant margin and is a strong contender for both MVP and repeating as Defensive Player of the Year. Her performance has established her as the league's best player and the Lynx as the best team. A'ja Wilson (Center, Las Vegas Aces, Preseason rank: 1) demonstrated her superstar status with a dominant 34-point, 16-rebound performance in a crucial win over Golden State upon returning from a wrist injury. Alyssa Thomas (Forward, Phoenix Mercury, Preseason rank: 5) is excelling in Phoenix's system, leading the league in assists and shooting a career-high percentage. Her play is a major reason for the Mercury's surprising success, including their high three-point volume and strong defense. Breanna Stewart (Forward, New York Liberty, Preseason rank: 3) has been remarkably consistent, scoring in double figures nearly every game. She is a top-five player in win shares and a foundational piece for the Liberty, despite her three-point shooting slump. Sabrina Ionescu (Guard, New York Liberty, Preseason rank: 7) is averaging a career-high in scoring, demonstrating her ability to take over games offensively. Her intensity and efficiency have been vital for the injury-impacted Liberty. Allisha Gray (Guard, Chicago Sky, Preseason rank: 23) is having a breakout season under a new coach, averaging career highs in scoring, rebounding, and assists. She is shooting 42% from three-point range and earned her first All-Star start, positioning herself for potential All-WNBA honors.
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Brad Stevens provides promising injury update on Celtics' Jayson Tatum
NBA star Jayson Tatum's Achilles injury is unfortunate and challenging to witness, impacting the Boston Celtics significantly. Beyond existing cost-cutting measures planned for next season, his injury will force the team to make further difficult decisions. There is hope Tatum will overcome this setback as he has previous adversities, such as proving doubters wrong by winning a championship and improving aspects of his game when asked. However, this injury recovery is potentially his toughest challenge yet. Celtics executive Brad Stevens reports Tatum is doing well in his recovery. Stevens acknowledged the inherent difficulty of rehab, describing it as a mental and physical challenge, but emphasized Tatum underwent surgery immediately and possesses a determined mindset focused on attacking the rehab process. Tatum's return timeline remains uncertain, with speculation suggesting he could potentially return for the 2025-2026 season, though others believe a 2026-2027 return is more likely.
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Rylan Stiles: Chet Holmgren officially signs his extension. pic.x.com/ohhLLJu78H http://twitter.com/…
Chet Holmgren has officially signed a contract extension with the Oklahoma City Thunder, as confirmed by a public announcement. The news was shared via social media, highlighting a significant development for the team and player.
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Flashback: Diana Taurasi Wins NCAA Championship, Phoenix Struggles
Diana Taurasi is recognized as one of the WNBA's biggest stars, significantly impacting the league's direction. She spent her entire professional career with the Phoenix Mercury after being drafted by them in 2004, achieving numerous accomplishments including championships and record-breaking performances. Her legendary status with the Mercury is cemented, and her jersey retirement is anticipated. Taurasi's journey began during her highly successful college career at UConn. In the 2003-04 season, she led the Huskies to a 31-4 record, starting with a nine-game win streak before suffering losses to Duke and Notre Dame. UConn cruised through the NCAA tournament, defeating teams like Auburn, Penn State, and Minnesota, ultimately winning the championship by beating Tennessee in a rematch of the previous year's final. During that championship 2003-04 season, Taurasi averaged 16.2 points, 4.9 assists, and 1.5 steals, earning her second Most Outstanding Player award. The previous season (2002-03), where UConn lost only one game, she averaged 17.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and 1.2 blocks, winning her first Most Outstanding Player award after beating Tennessee in the final. Taurasi's college success translated to the WNBA. Although it took a few seasons for the Mercury to reach the playoffs after drafting her, they won a championship early in her career. She led the team through many successful seasons thereafter. Now that her playing days are over, the Mercury organization aims to carry on her winning tradition with their current talented roster, which is performing at a high level and has the potential to win another championship.
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Celtics' Damian Lillard Pursuit Gets Significant New Twist
The Boston Celtics have faced significant challenges this offseason, trading Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis due to salary cap constraints. Additionally, star player Jayson Tatum is expected to miss most, if not all, of the 2025-26 NBA season after suffering a torn Achilles. Amidst this uncertainty, the Celtics have reportedly shown interest in star free agent point guard Damian Lillard, who was surprisingly waived by the Milwaukee Bucks to create cap space. Lillard, also recovering from a torn Achilles, has attracted attention from multiple contending teams. Boston's pursuit of Lillard is fueled in part by his close friendship with Tatum. Reports confirm that Tatum is actively recruiting Lillard to join the Celtics. Signing with Boston presents a logical scenario for Lillard, as the Celtics could offer him a two-year contract without immediate pressure to return in the first season. The team's strategy appears to focus on getting both Lillard and Tatum fully healthy simultaneously, potentially aligning their prime playing window for the 2026-27 season, even if they return partially during 2025-26. Acquiring Lillard would add a proven superstar to the Celtics' roster.
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Leonie Fiebich, Breanna Stewart power Liberty to largest comeback win of the season
The New York Liberty, led by Breanna Stewart and Leonie Fiebich, staged a remarkable 19-point comeback to defeat the Atlanta Dream. Trailing 34-15 midway through the second quarter due to strong play from Atlanta's Brittney Griner, Allisha Gray, and Maya Caldwell, the Liberty surged back. Stewart and Fiebich powered the rally, with New York outscoring Atlanta 48-30 over the final 20 minutes to secure the victory at home. Despite shooting poorly overall (38.5% from the field, 32.1% from three-point range), the Liberty compensated effectively. They generated 24 assists and forced Atlanta into 15 turnovers. Stewart recorded a double-double with 18 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, three steals, and two blocks. Fiebich led the team in scoring with 21 points and added four rebounds. Sabrina Ionescu contributed nine points and five assists. This comeback win improves the Liberty's record to 14-6, solidifying their top position in the Eastern Conference standings. They now hold a 1.5-game lead over the Dream and a 3.5-game lead over the Indiana Fever. Riding a two-game win streak, the Liberty remain at home for their next two games, hosting the Indiana Fever on July 16th at 7:30 p.m. ET and again on July 22nd at 8 p.m. ET.
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Angel Reese Says Sky Has ‘Best Young Core’ In WNBA After Chicago Upsets Minnesota Lynx
Angel Reese and the Chicago Sky secured a notable 87-81 victory over the league-leading Minnesota Lynx on Saturday. This win marked Chicago's first of the season against a team with a winning record, improving their standing to 7-13. The Lynx, leading the WNBA with an 18-4 record, suffered the upset loss. Veteran Ariel Atkins led the Sky in scoring with 27 points, but second-year players Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso were pivotal. Cardoso recorded a double-double with 17 points and 15 rebounds, while Reese also achieved a double-double, contributing 19 points and 11 rebounds. Both Reese and Cardoso were Chicago's first-round picks in last year's draft. Reese, the NBA 2K26 cover athlete, is currently on a hot streak, recording her eighth consecutive double-double. After struggling offensively earlier in the season, she has been shooting efficiently during this stretch, with field goal percentages ranging from 43.8% to 60%. Following the game, Reese confidently stated that she and Cardoso form the best young core in the league, referring to themselves as "The Skyscrapers." Reese leads the entire WNBA in total rebounds with 255. She also specifically leads the league in defensive rebounds with 176, addressing past criticism about "mebounds" (grabbing her own offensive rebounds). The Sky will host the Lynx again on Monday night, aiming to make a statement by beating the league's top team twice. After that, Chicago faces the Atlanta Dream on Wednesday before Reese heads to Indianapolis to participate in the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game.
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NBA Analyst Shares Bold Take on Suns' Future After Massive Devin Booker Extension and Kevin Durant Trade
The Phoenix Suns face an uncertain future following Kevin Durant's departure and the potential exit of Bradley Beal. While Devin Booker signed a historic two-year, $145 million extension keeping him with the team through 2029-30, the franchise's direction is unclear. Analyst Rob Perez (WorldWideWob) countered pessimism about the Suns being stuck in "basketball purgatory." He argued that Phoenix could undergo a rapid "reload" rather than a lengthy, painful rebuild. Perez cited examples like the Cleveland Cavaliers quickly recovering after LeBron James left and the Brooklyn Nets rebounding after trading for Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett. Perez emphasized that committing such significant funds to Booker indicates the Suns won't embark on a traditional tanking rebuild, especially considering NBA rules discouraging player rest. He highlighted Booker's loyalty and resilience, noting the star guard has endured numerous coaches and difficult team situations throughout his tenure in Phoenix. Booker is seen as the emotional and structural anchor for the Suns in this post-superteam era, with the franchise's decision to build around him signaling a desire to remain competitive. However, not all share Perez's optimism, as concerns remain about the team's high payroll and limited draft assets, drawing increased scrutiny.
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Report Provides Disappointing Update on Sixers’ Joel Embiid
Joel Embiid is recovering from arthroscopic surgery on his left knee, performed in April. This marks his second operation on the same meniscus injury within the past year. The surgery was intended to ensure his readiness for the start of the 2025-26 season. Despite the team's optimism, specifically from President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey who states Embiid is "on track" for training camp, preseason, and the regular season, league sources report Embiid has not yet resumed on-court basketball activities. The injury initially occurred against the Golden State Warriors over a year and a half ago, significantly impacting his 2024-25 season. Embiid's recent seasons have been plagued by injuries, limiting him to 39 games in 2023-24 and only 19 games last season. His absence severely hampers the Philadelphia 76ers' championship aspirations, making his recovery crucial for the team, fans, and coaching staff. Recovery involves multiple hurdles: first returning to on-court activities, then rebuilding conditioning, and finally progressing to contact and live game situations. He is expected to need managed minutes initially and won't be at his peak for several months. Rushing his return risks re-aggravation of the injury. The decision for early surgery stemmed from a disagreement during the season. The Sixers front office believed Embiid needed to play to improve his conditioning, while Embiid felt surgery was necessary. This difference in approach reportedly caused tension between the player and the front office. With the surgery completed and recovery ongoing, the focus is now on Embiid showing positive recovery signs to be ready for the season opener. The pressure to return will mount, but adding load too quickly could force him to miss the start of the season.
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Exclusive | Liberty’s Sabrina Ionescu to compete in 3-point contest at WNBA All-Star Game
Sabrina Ionescu sparked speculation about her participation in the upcoming WNBA All-Star 3-point contest by posting a cryptic Instagram story on Friday. The story featured a photo from her 2023 shootout with Stephen Curry at the NBA All-Star event, accompanied by eyeball emojis. Following her team's win on Sunday, Ionescu confirmed to The Post that the assumptions were correct: she will indeed participate in Friday's 3-point contest in Indianapolis. She joins Mystics rookie Sonia Citron as the only confirmed participants so far, though Fever star Caitlin Clark is strongly believed to join, especially since the event is hosted in her team's city. This marks Ionescu's second appearance in the WNBA 3-point contest; she won the event in 2023. During that victory, she set a record by scoring 37 points in the final round, breaking the previous WNBA and NBA single-round records. Ionescu also famously faced Stephen Curry head-to-head at the 2024 NBA All-Star weekend, where he narrowly defeated her 29-26. When asked about the possibility of facing Clark specifically in the contest, Ionescu downplayed it, stating she first needs to make it to the second round. Ionescu, a four-time All-Star, is a career 35.9% three-point shooter. This season, she has made 47 three-pointers (tied for third most in the league) but is shooting a career-low 32.4% from beyond the arc. In a separate roster move, the Liberty waived guard Marquesha Davis ahead of Sunday's mid-season cut-down deadline. This action provides the team with greater financial flexibility and opens a roster spot for potential future additions.
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Peter's Points: WNBA Best Bets Today (Predictions, Prop Bets for Liberty, Fever, Mystics-Storm, Kelsey Plum)
Sunday's WNBA schedule features four games, headlined by a matchup between the Dallas Wings, led by Paige Bueckers, visiting the Indiana Fever, led by Caitlin Clark. This game pits the last two No. 1 overall draft picks against each other. The afternoon includes another key Eastern Conference clash between the Atlanta Dream and the New York Liberty. The night concludes with interconference games. As the league approaches the All-Star break, the playoff race is tight, with eight teams trailing the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx by just 3 to 7.5 games. Several of these teams (New York, Atlanta, Seattle, Indiana, Washington) are playing on Sunday, presenting opportunities to improve their standings position. Betting analysis favors the New York Liberty against the Atlanta Dream. While the teams are 1-1 this season, New York won the home game. The Liberty boast a strong 8-2 home record and a +15.5 net rating at home (second best in the WNBA), contrasting with Atlanta's 4-5 road record and negative road net rating (-0.6). Despite the Liberty's poor record against the spread (ATS), the analysis recommends betting on them to win outright, citing their superior overall team ratings (second in offense, defense, and net rating) compared to Atlanta (third in offense, eighth in defense). Betting analysis also favors the Indiana Fever to win outright against the Dallas Wings. While expressing some hesitation about covering a 10-point spread, the analysis supports betting on Indiana due to Dallas's poor 2-9 road record and 9-12 ATS record overall. The Fever are coming off a home win against Atlanta after a loss following Caitlin Clark's return from injury.
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Damian Lillard Has One Reason To Choose Heat Over Celtics
Damian Lillard reportedly has mutual interest with the Boston Celtics, but analysis suggests the Miami Heat might be a better fit. Kevin O'Connor of Yahoo Sports, appearing on CLNS Media's Garden Report, acknowledged Boston's appeal for Lillard recovering from an Achilles injury, as he wouldn't need to be the primary star behind Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, allowing for rest and load management. However, O'Connor highlighted a significant downside for Lillard in Boston: the potential role. He questioned whether Lillard would want to join a team where he might be the backup point guard behind Derrick White and Payton Pritchard. O'Connor argued that a team like the Miami Heat offers Lillard the opportunity to be the clear starter and regain his status as the primary option, "Damian Lillard again." This analysis points to a potential competition between the Eastern Conference rivals for Lillard. O'Connor noted that Boston's depth at guard, specifically White and Pritchard, is a major deterrent for Lillard that the Celtics couldn't easily fix without making unwise roster moves. Ultimately, Lillard's decision is framed as a choice between seeking more touches and offensive opportunities (potentially with Miami) or prioritizing a greater chance of contending immediately (potentially with Boston).
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Despite Controversial Celtics Exit, Kyrie Irving Fondly Recalls His Time In Boston: "I Needed That Change Of Pace"
Kyrie Irving recently reflected positively on his initial time with the Boston Celtics during a Twitch stream with former teammate Jaylen Brown. He described feeling excitement upon joining the team in 2017, citing family connections to Boston—his father attended a nearby school and his mother graduated from Boston University. Irving emphasized that after his tenure in Cleveland, he "needed that change of pace" and appreciated being challenged daily by Boston's talented roster, calling the experience of wearing the Celtics uniform "crazy." Irving played for the Celtics from 2017 to 2019, averaging 24.1 points, 6.1 assists, and 4.4 rebounds per game. However, his exit was highly contentious. He broke promises to re-sign with the team and infamously stomped on the Celtics logo after joining the Brooklyn Nets, making him deeply unpopular among Boston fans. This controversy made his recent fond recollections surprising. Post-Celtics, Irving faced his former team 28 times with the Cavaliers, Nets, and Mavericks, averaging 23.1 points, 5.0 assists, and 3.9 rebounds, with his teams going 13-15 against Boston. He left in 2019 primarily seeking a "change of scenery," personal reasons (including proximity to family in New Jersey), and a desire for more franchise control. Despite initially intending to stay, his tumultuous second season led him to depart, potentially costing the Celtics a dynasty alongside Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum. Irving’s history with Boston culminated in the 2024 NBA Finals, where his Mavericks lost 4-1 to the Celtics. Throughout the series, he endured intense jeering from Boston fans due to his acrimonious departure and subsequent actions against the franchise.
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Palace: Marcos vetoed NPU bill over PUP’s low performance in 2016
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has vetoed the bill proposing the creation of the National Polytechnic University (NPU) to strengthen the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP). The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) stated the primary reason for the veto was PUP's "low performance" in the 2016 State Universities and Colleges (SUC) leveling exercise, where it received only a Level II rating. The PCO explained that this Level II rating was low compared to other SUCs achieving Levels III and IV. It further noted that a previous presidential suggestion for reassessing PUP's suitability for National University status had not been carried out. The PUP expressed strong disapproval, calling the veto a rejection of the need to expand access to quality public higher education. Additional concerns cited by the PCO included the establishment of 14 PUP campuses via Board of Regents resolutions instead of through the legislative process, potentially creating expectations for National Government funding. The PCO also stated that granting PUP institutional autonomy through the NPU bill could weaken the Commission on Higher Education's (Ched) regulatory oversight over SUCs. The PCO emphasized that achieving National University status requires demonstrating exceptional quality in faculty and programs, along with maintaining high academic standards in instruction, research, and public service – criteria PUP reportedly did not meet based on the 2016 assessment.
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‘When will it stop?’: Billionaire basketball dust-up goes to email
The National Basketball League (NBL) has chosen a new headquarters owned by billionaire Larry Kestelman, but the selection process has faced sharp criticism. The pitch for Kestelman's property has been denounced as a "contrived" charade, implying the decision lacked authenticity. The article frames this development as a high-stakes dispute among wealthy figures, characterizing the NBL's headquarters selection as one of the decade's most notable "bun fights" in sports. It suggests such intense contention was inevitable given the involvement of competing billionaires.
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Utah Jazz vs Golden State Warriors: preview, start time, how to watch, injury report
The Utah Jazz are hopeful that rookie Ace Bailey will be available to join their lineup for Game 2 of the summer league against the Golden State Warriors on Sunday. This potential addition follows impressive performances from other players like Walter Clayton and Kyle Filipowski. There is uncertainty surrounding guard Walter Clayton Jr.'s availability for the upcoming game. He left the previous game with a hamstring issue, though he described it post-game as "just a little tight" and expressed his intention to play in future summer league games. The severity of his injury, whether minor cramps or something more, remains unclear. The game is scheduled for Sunday, July 13th, 2025, at 8:00 PM MT (10:00 PM ET). It will be televised on ESPN2 and played at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, NV.
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