All articles tagged with #basketball
EuroLeague owners rejected the NBA's initial collaboration proposal, citing undervaluation and demands to pause expansion. The NBA plans to launch its own European league regardless, while EuroLeague pursues its own growth strategy.
Indiana Fever host the Washington Mystics in the final 2026 regular-season meeting on Sunday, Sept. 20, with tipoff at 3 p.m. CT at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The game airs on NBA TV and locally on Local 5 (Des Moines) and WQAD (Quad Cities), with streaming options via Fubo or the WNBA League Pass. The Fever are 1-1 against Washington this season; Clark hit a late 3 to beat the Mystics 78-76 on June 8. After this game, Indiana finishes the regular season with two games against Minnesota on Sept. 22 and 24. Lucy Olsen is noted as a Mystics player in the article.
Sports Illustrated’s NBA team forecasts the 2026–27 standings, with the San Antonio Spurs projected as the West No. 1 seed and the Cavaliers, Knicks and other contenders atop the East. The piece folds three writers’ picks into an official conference order, outlines likely playoff and play‑in teams, and flags close calls and potential surprises—from the Suns and Jazz to the Hawks and Heat—as teams that could shift into or out of the postseason.
Matt Cord has decided to return as the Philadelphia 76ers’ public address announcer for a 29th season after initially announcing retirement. He cited the team’s blockbuster offseason—the Jaylen Brown trade and LeBron James signing—and ongoing fan support, including messages from Allen Iverson, as key factors in his decision following the 2026 playoffs.
Longtime 76ers public-address announcer Matt Cord will return for a final season after a brief retirement, marking 28 years with the team. The Sixers announced the comeback, and Cord plans to retire again at season’s end while helping run a winter replacement tryout. The article also notes speculation that new players like Jaylen Brown and LeBron James could have influenced his decision, though Cord didn’t confirm this.
Paul George and Mike Conley Jr. addressed the media as new Celtics, stressing collaboration with Jayson Tatum, showing respect to Jaylen Brown amid the controversial trade, praising Celtics culture and coach Joe Mazzulla, and noting George’s renewed health from an active summer—with the real test coming in training camp and the season.
Kawhi Leonard reportedly chose to rejoin the Toronto Raptors as a legacy move, turning down interest from other teams such as Detroit and Minnesota. He was traded from the Clippers to Toronto in a package that included Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two unprotected first-round picks, one first-round pick swap, and two second-round picks, after an NBA investigation led to fines for Leonard and Clippers owner Steve Ballmer and penalties for the Clippers. Leonard had previously led the Raptors to their first NBA title in 2019, and this move marks a return to a franchise-building on that legacy.
The NBA’s penalties for salary-cap circumvention tied to Kawhi Leonard strip the Clippers of five future first-round picks, but the Leonard trade to Toronto provides a lifeline. To rebound, the franchise needs a front-office reboot, including moving on from Lawrence Frank, and must leverage Toronto’s draft assets to pursue smarter trades. Ballmer has said the penalties will be accepted, and the team must rebuild its leadership and strategy to contend going forward.
Caitlin Clark brushed off a reporter's question about her friendship with Angel Reese after winning World Cup gold, saying 'We've always been friends' and noting their college rivalry has evolved into a strictly professional dynamic in the WNBA.
Led by Breanna Stewart’s 22 points and 10 rebounds, the U.S. women overcame an early 14-point deficit to beat France 97-79 and claim a fifth consecutive FIBA World Cup title, with Caitlin Clark providing timely bench scoring as the team extends its global-dominance run on the road to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
USA defeated Spain 76-66 in Berlin to reach the FIBA Women's World Cup final, riding an 18-8 fourth-quarter burst. Breanna Stewart led with 17 points, Kahleah Copper added 13, and Jackie Young delivered in the fourth as the U.S. extended its World Cup win streak to 35 and pursues a fifth straight title. They will face France, who beat Germany to reach their first World Cup final, in a rematch of the Olympic gold game.
The U.S. women’s basketball team defeated Hungary 108-56 in the FIBA World Cup quarterfinals to extend their consecutive-win streak to 70 and advance to the Berlin semifinals. Napheesa Collier led with 19 points, all 12 Americans logged at least 10 minutes, and the team shot 59% from the floor and 52% from three with 31 assists on 40 baskets. The victory comes after a 34-game World Cup winning streak dating to 2006 and sets up a semifinal vs Spain, which beat Australia 89-66.
The United States women’s basketball team routed Hungary 108-56 in Berlin to advance to the FIBA World Cup semifinals.
USA will face Hungary in the Berlin quarterfinals of the 2026 FIBA World Cup with a 5:30 am ET tip. Hungary advanced by beating Japan and sits at 3-1, led by Dorka Juhasz, while Team USA relies on a balanced attack from Jackie Young, Breanna Stewart, Caitlin Clark and a productive bench. The Americans are favorites but must sharpen after a narrow win over Italy as they push toward the medal rounds amid strong challengers like France.
The U.S. women’s national team routed Czechia 105-64 to finish group play 3-0 at the FIBA World Cup in Berlin, earning a quarterfinals matchup against Hungary or Japan. Breanna Stewart led with 19 points and all 12 players logged minutes as the Americans extended their 33-game World Cup win streak dating to 2006.