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The Detroit Pistons selected Ron Holland with the No. 5 pick in last year's draft, taking a gamble on a player who was sliding. The team envisioned him as a key part of their future, though he saw limited opportunity in his rookie season. Holland is showcasing significant potential during this year's NBA Summer League in Las Vegas. Despite being a second-year player competing against mostly lesser competition, he has been one of the league's standout performers, which is beneficial for his development. His recent performance included a 22-point game against the Timberwolves, where he shot 50% from the field and made 9 of 10 free throws. He also contributed six rebounds, two assists, and six steals. Minor drawbacks were his 1-for-4 shooting from three-point range and seven turnovers, though his overall improvement is noted. Holland has excelled in his other Summer League games as well, posting 15 points and three steals against the Rockets, and a dominant 28 points, 11 rebounds, and four combined steals and blocks (stocks) in his opener against the Knicks. The Pistons, who improved last season, anticipate further progress this year. Holland is projected to be a major contributor, potentially emerging as an athletic, two-way co-star alongside Cade Cunningham. While other young players like Jaden Ivey and Ausar Thomson are also candidates, Holland, who was once considered the potential No. 1 pick in the 2024 draft, may possess the highest upside of the group. It is uncertain if Holland will play further in the Summer League, but he has already gained valuable experience from his participation.
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Kiefer Ravena made a strong return for Strong Group-Philippines, helping them dominate Australia 91-75 in the 2025 William Jones Cup on Wednesday. Ravena, who missed the first three games, provided a crucial spark in the fourth quarter as the Philippines remained undefeated at 4-0 in their title defense. Australia fell to a 2-3 record. Despite significant contributions from Filipino-Australians James Spencer and Mac Stodart, Australia couldn't overcome the Philippines. Spencer, a former University of the Philippines player, hit key baskets in the fourth, including a three-pointer that cut the deficit to 65-76. However, Ravena immediately countered with two consecutive three-pointers himself, extending the lead to 84-67. Javi Gomez de Liaño then sealed the victory with another three-pointer. Andre Roberson led Strong Group-Philippines with a double-double of 16 points and 12 rebounds, adding six assists and a steal. Ian Miller and Tajuan Agee each contributed 12 points. Kiefer Ravena scored 9 points in his return, while Dave Ildefonso added 10 points. For Australia, Mac Stodart led the way with 19 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block. James Spencer finished with 11 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists. Strong Group-Philippines aims for its fifth consecutive win on Thursday against Chinese Taipei White at 5 p.m.
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NBA teams are permitted to carry up to 21 players during the offseason, exceeding the regular season limit of 15 players. This expanded roster allows teams to sign players to non-guaranteed contracts, providing opportunities for those players to earn a regular season spot or be evaluated before potential assignment to the G League affiliate. In addition to the standard 15-man roster, NBA teams can also have up to three players on two-way contracts. These two-way players grant the team NBA rights to extra players, although they typically spend significant time in the G League. Crucially, while two-way players do not count against the 15-man regular season roster limit, they are included within the 21-man offseason roster limit. The article states that roster counts for all NBA teams will be tracked throughout the 2025 offseason and the 2025/26 season, categorizing players into specific groups. A list of team roster counts for the 2025/26 season is being maintained and updated, with the latest update provided as July 16, 2025, at 10:35 am CT, listing several teams starting from the Atlanta Hawks through the Golden State Warriors.
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Incoming Indiana University basketball guard Aleksa Ristic delivered another strong performance during the FIBA U20 Eurobasket in Heraklion, Greece. Playing for Serbia in the round of 16 against Ukraine on Wednesday, the 6-foot-4 guard recorded 12 points and 11 assists, contributing significantly to Serbia's 75-61 victory. Ristic also registered one steal and one block during his 31 minutes on the court, though he committed four turnovers. Serbia improved its tournament record to 4-0 with the win and advanced to the quarterfinals, where they will face Spain on Thursday. Offensively, Ristic shot 4-for-11 from the field, including 2-for-5 from beyond the three-point line. He was perfect from the free-throw line, making both of his attempts. Serbia outscored Ukraine by 13 points while Ristic was playing. Through four games at the tournament in Greece, Ristic is averaging 13.3 points and 7.8 assists in 30 minutes per game. He has been efficient from the foul line, making 11 of his 13 free-throw attempts. The 19-year-old Serbian is expected to join the IU basketball roster after the conclusion of the FIBA U20 Eurobasket tournament, which wraps up this Sunday.
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MHICAELA "BELLA" BELEN has officially signed with the Capital1 Solar Spikers volleyball team. The signing was confirmed on Wednesday when Capital1 co-owner Milka Romero announced the news on social media, welcoming Belen, the top overall Premier Volleyball League (PVL) rookie pick this year, to the "Capital1 family". While specific contract details were not disclosed, Belen, a three-time UAAP champion and MVP from National University, is reported to receive a minimum three-year contract with a monthly salary of at least ₱165,000. Belen's debut for the Solar Spikers will be delayed, however, as she will only be able to suit up for the team starting in October this year due to her commitments to the Alas Pilipinas national team.
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With Giannis Antetokounmpo expected to take on significant ball-handling duties for the Milwaukee Bucks following Damian Lillard's departure, Kevin Porter Jr., likely the starting point guard, needs to provide consistent shooting, particularly in catch-and-shoot situations where he has previously excelled. Historically, catch-and-shoot specialists playing alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo tend to have career-best shooting seasons due to the abundance of open looks he generates, often leading to lucrative contracts the following season, as seen with players like Bryn Forbes and Malik Beasley, and potentially AJ Green. While Porter's role involves more than just shooting, excelling as a catch-and-shoot threat could significantly enhance his performance and fit with Giannis. During the 2021-22 season, Porter was the NBA's most efficient player on catch-and-shoot threes (48.2% on 114 attempts). However, his percentage plummeted to 30.8% last season, ranking among the league's worst. Much of this decline occurred during his time with the Los Angeles Clippers (23.7%). After joining the Bucks, Porter showed improvement, hitting 40.7% on catch-and-shoot threes, albeit in a small sample size. This rebound in Milwaukee provides a blueprint for success. Porter's primary role will be as a scorer and shot-creator to relieve pressure from Giannis. However, when defenses collapse on Giannis as he controls the offense, Porter will frequently be open on the perimeter for catch-and-shoot opportunities created by Giannis passes. Regaining his 2021-22 shooting efficiency in these situations would dramatically increase his impact. Porter, who re-signed with the Bucks recently and could enter free agency again next summer, has the opportunity to set himself up for a significant payday by rediscovering his elite catch-and-shoot form. Although not definitively confirmed as the starting point guard, the position is currently his to lose. If he capitalizes on the open looks provided by Giannis in Milwaukee's more athletic, fast-paced lineup, he could become the perfect fit.
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The Boston Celtics are facing significant challenges at the center position after losing their top three big men this offseason. President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens bluntly acknowledged the uncertainty, stating "We're going to find out" how they will manage without Kristaps Porziņģis (traded to Atlanta), Luke Kornet (signed with San Antonio for 4 years, $41 million), and the likely departure of Al Horford, whom Stevens admitted was "unlikely" to re-sign. This depletion leaves the Celtics with a center group considered potentially the least impressive in the NBA. The remaining options are Neemias Queta (26 years old, 6 career starts), newcomer Luka Garza (26, 5 career starts), Xavier Tillman (a bench player last season, considered ill-suited for full-time center at 6-foot-7), and second-round draft pick Amari Williams (expected to primarily play in the G League). Porziņģis, Horford, and Kornet were the only Celtics bigs to play meaningful postseason minutes. Stevens confirmed the team plans to approach the center position "by committee" this season. He directly stated that this group "will not be the group that people will single out... as our strongest position" based on their careers so far, but emphasized it's up to the players to prove otherwise. Queta and Garza project as the top starting candidates. Stevens expressed belief in untapped potential for both Queta and Garza. Queta played a career-high 62 games last season, initially surpassing Kornet on the depth chart before falling out of the rotation. While acknowledging Queta's issues with consistency and lack of shooting range, Stevens noted that at his best, the 7-footer provides shot-blocking, offensive rebounding, and finishing at the rim.
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Boston Celtics fans hold Isaiah Thomas, nicknamed "The King in the Fourth," in exceptionally high regard due to his tremendous heart despite being an undersized guard. A defining moment occurred during the 2017 NBA Playoffs when Thomas scored 53 points against the Washington Wizards. This extraordinary performance came immediately after he underwent extensive dental work to repair teeth broken in Game 1 of the series and followed closely the tragic death of his sister, Chyna, in a car accident. The "NBC Sports Boston" YouTube channel compiled a clip of this historic Celtics moment. The article encourages viewers to watch it for nostalgia or first-time viewing, promising it will be particularly worthwhile. This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire.
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Jayson Tatum is actively recruiting free agent guard Damian Lillard to join the Boston Celtics, reigniting efforts he previously made during Lillard's 2023 trade request from Portland. Both players, currently sidelined for the upcoming season, share an established connection from teaming up at the 2025 NBA All-Star Game. Lillard's availability comes after being waived by Milwaukee, though signing him carries significant injury risks. He's recovering from an Achilles injury that could reduce his athleticism by 5-10%, particularly impacting his burst as a smaller, older guard reliant on explosiveness for separation. Any potential deal would require a minimum contract for the upcoming season, with long-term negotiations deferred until next offseason when Lillard heals. The Celtics must first shed additional salary to avoid the second apron luxury tax threshold before offering a substantial contract. While Boston doesn't have an immediate roster need for Lillard, the franchise may proceed with the signing regardless to maintain All-Star Jayson Tatum's satisfaction, treating it as a goodwill gesture toward their cornerstone player.
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Golden State Warriors center Quinten Post, a 2023 second-round draft pick, transitioned from dominating the G League to making an immediate NBA impact late in his rookie season. After averaging 10.4 points on 39.3% three-point shooting in his first five meaningful games, he earned a starting role—including 14 regular-season starts and two playoff appearances—while matching up against stars like LeBron James and Luka Dončić. Post recently shifted focus to chess at Las Vegas' Chesstival, a pro-am event co-hosted by Magnus Carlsen and Derrick Rose. Initially scheduled for NBA Summer League, he instead competed in the tournament's "head and hand" team format, partnering with Indian grandmaster Tania Sachdev. They reached the semifinals before losing to the duo of Tony Snell and Fabiano Caruana. In the subsequent singles blitz tournament for NBA players, Post exacted revenge by defeating Snell in the third round. He then clinched the championship by checkmating Harrison Ingram in the finals, securing the title of Chesstival's inaugural blitz tournament champion—a stark contrast to his high-pressure NBA experiences.
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The WNBA players union and league officials are preparing for their first in-person collective bargaining agreement negotiations since December, scheduled for Thursday in Indianapolis ahead of All-Star weekend. Both sides have exchanged initial proposals but remain significantly apart in early discussions. Phoenix Mercury forward and union representative Satou Sabally characterized the league's proposal as "a slap in the face." Key negotiation points include demands for increased salaries, revenue sharing, and expanded roster sizes. The current CBA expires after this season, with nearly all non-rookie scale players becoming free agents seeking substantial pay raises. Union president Nneka Ogwumike expressed optimism that the face-to-face meeting with the full players' executive council would facilitate progress, noting in-person discussions often prove more efficient than remote communications. The negotiations occur amid unprecedented WNBA growth, including rising attendance, viewership, and a new $2.2 billion media rights deal starting next season. The league also plans expansion to 18 teams by 2030, with each new franchise paying a $250 million entry fee. Ogwumike criticized the league's resistance to sharing expansion fee revenue with players, stating: "It doesn't make a lot of sense." She revealed the union submitted its proposal in February but didn't receive the league's counter until last month—a delay she found surprising, suggesting the league misunderstood the players' initial offer. WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert acknowledged at April's draft that the union's proposal lacked comprehensiveness but projected confidence in reaching a "transformational" agreement, emphasizing such negotiations "take time."
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The author describes the Malik Beasley gambling investigation story as the "craziest, most perplexing mystery" encountered in their NBA reporting career. A central question driving their investigation for the podcast "Pablo Torre Finds Out" was uncovering the identity of "Moose," hinting at a double meaning behind asterisks used in the narrative. ESPN's Shams Charania broke bombshell news on the eve of NBA free agency, revealing Malik Beasley was under federal investigation for allegedly gambling on his own games and prop bets. The report stunned the NBA community, including the author who wrote an immediate analysis that became their most-read piece of the year, indicating intense public interest. The Detroit Pistons were reportedly "blindsided" by the investigation despite preparing a $42 million contract offer for Beasley. No team or insider publicly anticipated the scandal—except for one cryptic social media post five months earlier. On January 30th, an obscure Twitter account predicted Beasley would face federal investigation, after which the account holder vanished, leaving the "Beasley Prophecy" as the only warning. This mysterious prediction led the reporting team—Pablo Torre, Amin Elhassan, and the author—to pursue what they termed a "Moose hunt" to uncover both the source of the prophecy and the significance behind the name "Moose."
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The Minnesota Timberwolves are undefeated (2-0) in the Las Vegas Summer League and aim to extend their winning streak to 3-0 against the Detroit Pistons on July 15th, 2025, at 3:30 PM CDT in Las Vegas. Despite the typical perception of Summer League games being low-stakes, Timberwolves fans are showing increased interest because the team is playing exciting basketball with players demonstrating potential value. This excitement was highlighted by their recent 11-point win over the Denver Nuggets, extending a symbolic seven-game winning streak against Denver dating back to the 2024 playoffs. Terrence Shannon Jr. was the standout performer in the win over Denver, scoring 24 points and establishing himself as the clear alpha on the court. His confident scoring and controlled swagger suggest he could be a valuable offensive weapon to help alleviate the scoring droughts that plagued the Timberwolves last season, potentially earning him a rotation spot in the regular season. Rob Dillingham showed significant improvement after a shaky debut, posting 15 points, nine assists, and only four turnovers against Denver. His performance, characterized by frenetic energy and a creative dribble reminiscent of a young Tyrese Maxey, aligns with the Wolves' need for a solid backup point guard behind Mike Conley. The team hopes he can develop into a reliable option to run the second unit and provide scoring bursts.
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Veteran point guard Vasilije Micic, recently waived by the Milwaukee Bucks, has secured a new professional basketball opportunity overseas in the EuroLeague. Micic, 31, was acquired by the Bucks primarily as part of a transaction to move off Pat Connaughton's contract and future draft picks. The Bucks negotiated a buyout of Micic's $8.1 million expiring contract for 2025-26, with Micic returning $6 million. Milwaukee will stretch and waive the remaining $2 million over the next three seasons. After the Bucks' move, a post-NBA contract offer from Turkish EuroLeague champion Fenerbahce was rescinded. However, Micic quickly found a new team, agreeing to a deal with Spanish EuroLeague powerhouse Real Madrid. Other clubs like Olympiacos and Hapoel Tel Aviv were also reportedly interested. According to reports, Micic signed a two-season contract with Real Madrid worth €8.5 million. Last NBA season, split between the Charlotte Hornets and Phoenix Suns, the 6-foot-5 guard averaged 6.6 points, 3.1 assists, and 2.2 rebounds across 41 games (16 starts). He was traded multiple times: from Phoenix back to Charlotte on draft night (involving draft rights and Mark Williams), and then subsequently to Milwaukee before being waived. Micic has only two NBA seasons under his belt, playing for the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2023-24 and the Hornets/Suns in 2024-25. Before joining the NBA, he had a decorated career in Europe, playing in Serbia, Germany, Turkey, and Lithuania. His most notable achievements include winning two EuroLeague championships (2021, 2022) with Turkish club Anadolu Efes, where he was also named EuroLeague MVP in 2021 and earned All-EuroLeague Team honors three times during his five-year tenure.
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The NBA trade market features a highly sought-after commodity this offseason: LeBron James. Four teams are currently seen as frontrunners to acquire the future Hall of Famer: the Dallas Mavericks, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers, and his former team, the Cleveland Cavaliers. However, the Miami Heat, another of James' former teams, has emerged as a contender. NBA analyst Zach Lowe suggests a reunion between LeBron and the Heat, where he won his first NBA title, is a plausible scenario. Lowe points out that the Heat possess salary-matching contracts attached to decent players and have a young center, Kel'el Ware, who could develop alongside Luka Dončić. He envisions a potential Heat lineup featuring Tyler Herro, LeBron James, and Bam Adebayo. This Heat possibility conflicts with the Dallas Mavericks' aspirations. The Mavericks hope to land LeBron James to reunite him with Kyrie Irving (with whom he has reconciled past differences from Cleveland) and Anthony Davis (who recently joined Dallas). The Mavericks view the potential trio of Dončić, Irving, and James as a formidable "big three" crucial to bringing another championship to Dallas and cannot afford to let that opportunity slip away.
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The Las Vegas Aces (10-11), led by A'ja Wilson after her 34-point performance in a 104-102 win, will play on the road against the Dallas Wings (6-16) on Wednesday, July 16, 2025. The game tips off at 8 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on Vegas 34 and KFAA. In their previous game, the Aces secured a 104-102 home victory over the Golden State Valkyries. A'ja Wilson led the team with 34 points, 16 rebounds, 2 blocks, and 75.0% shooting from the field, supported by Jackie Young who contributed 30 points, 6 assists, and 64.3% shooting. The Dallas Wings are coming off a 102-83 road loss to Indiana. Their top performers in that game were Paige Bueckers, who scored 21 points with 2 steals (60.0% FG, 2-4 from 3PT), and Li Yueru, who added 16 points on 72.7% shooting. The article encourages readers to prepare for this WNBA matchup.
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The Dallas Mavericks are evaluating candidates for their final two-way contract spot next season. Ryan Nembhard has demonstrated strong confidence and appears to be a solid fit for the rotation, positioning him well for one of the two-way roles. Miles Kelly, already on a two-way contract, is showcasing remarkable confidence as a shooter, carrying over his fearless mentality from Auburn. The Mavericks, anticipating Klay Thompson's eventual decline, see an urgent need for a reliable knockdown 3-point shooter like Kelly. While acknowledging the significant transition challenges (pace, longer 3-point line), the article suggests Kelly could potentially develop into a player resembling Thompson or at least trend towards becoming a valuable rotation player if his confidence persists. The piece draws parallels to Klay Thompson's rapid rise as an elite catch-and-shoot star under Steve Kerr's system. While the Mavericks' philosophy differs, Kelly's sheer confidence in shooting from deep is seen as a foundational trait. Mavericks Summer League coach Josh Broghamer has specifically praised Kelly's versatile shot-making, including movement shooting. However, Broghamer is also working with Kelly on expanding his game beyond shooting, focusing on rebounding and passing to help him stand out. The article argues Kelly's shooting directly addresses a critical Mavericks need, contrasting it with the inconsistent 3-point production from players like Spencer Dinwiddie last season. Kelly's performance, including scoring 11 points on 2-6 three-point shooting in 27 minutes (third-most on the team) during a loss to San Antonio, is presented as evidence of his potential. His significant playing time is interpreted as a sign the team sees future potential in him. Highlighting his undrafted status, the piece notes Kelly plays with a motivational "chip on his shoulder," aiming to prove teams wrong for passing on him. The Mavericks are portrayed as fortunate to have him. The potential for Kelly to learn directly from Klay Thompson through mentorship is mentioned as an exciting opportunity that could greatly benefit his development.
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The Miami Heat secured their first victory in three games at the Las Vegas NBA Summer League, defeating the Boston Celtics 100-96. Pelle Larsson emerged as a standout performer, scoring 24 points and dishing out six assists. His aggressive play included an incident that led to the ejection of Boston's Jordan Walsh. Heat summer league coach Eric Glass highlighted Larsson's increased usage and called it a good experience. Kel'el Ware backed up his strong performance from the previous game, recording a double-double with 21 points and 15 rebounds, including three 3-pointers. Coach Glass stated this was Ware's best summer league game so far, praising his sustained effort throughout the contest. Keshad Johnson also delivered a strong showing, scoring 22 points primarily through attacking play. Coach Glass commended Johnson's performance, noting he effectively displayed his talent and toughness.
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Despite their promising run to the 2024 NBA Finals, the Dallas Mavericks' future championship aspirations took an unexpected turn. Impatient with Luka Doncic's lingering calf injury, Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison traded the five-time All-NBA First Teamer to the Los Angeles Lakers. In return, Dallas acquired Anthony Davis, a 10-time All-Star but an older player considered an injury risk. Similarly, the Boston Celtics, who defeated Dallas in the 2024 Finals, faced significant challenges just two years later. With star Jayson Tatum potentially missing the entire 2025-26 season due to an Achilles tear, Celtics president Brad Stevens traded starters Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday primarily to reduce the team's luxury tax burden. New details have also emerged about the high tensions during the 2024 Finals series itself. Kyrie Irving admitted during a live stream with former teammate and Finals rival Jaylen Brown that he nearly fought Celtics reserve guard Payton Pritchard. Irving specifically recalled an incident at halftime where he "thought about swinging" at Pritchard, stating "He would not touch" and referencing an incident related to a half-court shot attempt.
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The Los Angeles Lakers have decisively shifted their focus towards building their future around superstar Luka Doncic, moving away from an era centered on LeBron James. This strategic pivot was solidified by their blockbuster trade with the Dallas Mavericks to acquire Doncic. James, entering the final year of his contract, has recently been the subject of significant trade rumors. Doncic is positioned as the long-term cornerstone of the Lakers franchise. While critiques about his conditioning from last season existed, he has been rigorously working throughout the NBA offseason. This effort became evident during a recent public appearance in Greece, where his noticeably slimmer physical appearance generated considerable buzz within the NBA community. The dramatic change in Doncic's physique quickly sparked reactions from fans online. Comments ranged from surprise that he hadn't achieved this peak shape earlier, to praise for Lakers GM Rob Pelinka for acquiring him, dubbing Doncic the "new slim reaper." Many fans expressed high expectations, declaring him the MVP and stating the league is unprepared for his impending dominance.
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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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The Boston Celtics (1-0) face the New York Knicks (0-1) in a Summer League game on Sunday, July 13, 2025, at 5:30 PM ET at Cox Pavilion. This is the second Summer League game for both teams. The Celtics won their first game against the Memphis Grizzlies 92-78 on Friday, while the Knicks lost their first game to the Detroit Pistons 104-86, also on Friday. The Celtics' Summer League roster includes 15 players: undrafted players, their three 2025 draft picks (Hugo Gonzalez - 28th pick, Amari Williams - 46th pick, Max Shulga - 57th pick), two-way players, and two players from last season's roster. Key returnees include third-year player Jordan Walsh and second-year player Baylor Scheierman. Miles Norris also returns after spending half of last season as a two-way player. Gonzalez is expected to be on the regular season roster, while Williams and Shulga are expected to sign two-way contracts. Charles Bassey emerged as a surprise standout in the Celtics' first game. The 2021 53rd pick, previously with Philadelphia and San Antonio, has overcome significant knee injuries (missed time in 2022 and tore his ACL in December 2023). Given the Celtics' frontcourt depth concerns, Bassey has an opportunity to earn a contract with the team. The Knicks' Summer League roster features Marjon Beauchamp, who has three years of NBA experience. Their 2024 first-round pick, Pacome Dadiet (25th pick), and second-round pick Ariel Hukporti (58th pick), a 7-foot center with potential to earn a backup role, are also highlighted. Anton Watson, originally drafted 54th by the Celtics in 2024 and signed to a two-way contract, was waived to sign Miles Norris and subsequently signed with the Knicks for Summer League. Matt Reynolds serves as the Celtics' Summer League head coach. Reynolds joined the Celtics as Video Coordinator in 2015 and has been an assistant coach since 2022. The Knicks' Summer League head coach is Jordan Brink, their Director of Player Personnel, known for holding the league's highest percentage rate of successful challenge calls. Possible starters for the Celtics are speculated to be the same as their first game: Max Shulga, Baylor Scheierman, Hugo Gonzalez, Jordan Walsh, and Amari Williams. For the Knicks, possible starters are Tyler Kolek, Kevin McCullar Jr., Marjon Beauchamp, Pacome Dadiet, and Ariel Hukporti, mirroring their opening game lineup. However, Summer League lineups can be unpredictable.
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Toronto Raptors forward Brandon Ingram, who has yet to play for the team since being acquired, expressed strong confidence that the Raptors will make the playoffs in the 2025/26 season. In an interview with Josh Lewenberg of TSN.ca, Ingram stated, "I think we're making the playoffs for sure." He emphasized the team's focus on building championship habits, specifically praising their effort level observed in the second half of the previous season: "I think what I saw in the second half of the season is, they play hard, they play really really hard on the offensive and defensive end."
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During a New York Liberty WNBA game, Breanna Stewart used her significant wingspan to trap Atlanta Dream's Allisha Gray near the sideline. An off-balance Gray, unable to find a pass, stepped out of bounds, leading to her bouncing the ball in frustration and receiving a technical foul, which energized the Barclays Center crowd. The Liberty trailed by 11 points at halftime, appearing lethargic and disjointed in the first half. However, a significant third-quarter resurgence, fueled by Stewart's rebounding, defense, and scoring, alongside Leonie Fiebich's timely three-pointers and aggressive shot-hunting, propelled them to a 79-72 victory. Leonie Fiebich was crucial to the win. Responding to calls from coaches, players, and fans to shoot more, she drained back-to-back three-pointers in the third quarter to give the Liberty their first lead since the opening period. Fiebich finished with a regular-season career-high 21 points on highly efficient 8-of-9 shooting (4-for-5 from three-point range), adding four rebounds and four assists. Breanna Stewart, playing multiple positions, recorded her fourth double-double of the season with 18 points and 10 rebounds. The team's second-half performance marked a complete turnaround from the first half, featuring improved communication on defense, aggressive rebounding, and better shot-making. Liberty coach Sandy Brondello expressed dissatisfaction with the first-half effort, citing a lack of grit and energy after four days off. She emphasized a halftime reset, demanding discipline in executing the game plan and relentless effort, confidently stating they would win the game. Player Sabrina Ionescu highlighted the importance of securing wins while awaiting Jonquel Jones' return.
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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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During a New York Knicks Summer League game against the Detroit Pistons, Karl-Anthony Towns, Miles McBride, and Mikal Bridges were in attendance. Teammate Josh Hart humorously commented on Towns' large sneakers in a photo shared by the NBA's social media, noting "Kat got them size 48s on." The Knicks are coming off an Eastern Conference Finals appearance but replaced head coach Tom Thibodeau this offseason. They hired former Sacramento Kings coach Mike Brown, a two-time Coach of the Year who was fired midseason by the Kings. Brown aims to build accountability and a championship culture in New York. Hart, Towns, and Bridges were key players in last season's playoff run and remain central to the team's future alongside Jalen Brunson. The Knicks bolstered their bench with offseason signings of Jordan Clarkson (Utah Jazz) and Guerschon Yabusele (Philadelphia 76ers). It remains uncertain whether Summer League participants like Tyler Kolek, Mohamad Diawara, or Ariel Hukporti will contribute significantly during the regular season.
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A'ja Wilson made a triumphant return from a wrist injury in the Las Vegas Aces' victory over the Golden State Valkyries on Saturday. Wilson led the game in scoring and rebounds, but her efficiency was most notable. She became the first player in WNBA history to record 34 points, 16 rebounds, and two blocks in a single game while shooting 70% from the field. This wrist injury wasn't her first setback this season, as she was also in concussion protocol in June. Despite these injuries, Wilson is thriving, currently ranking second in the league for points and rebounds per game, and leading the WNBA in blocks per game (2.4). Wilson appeared unbothered by her injury troubles. Following her return game, she posted the message "New Wrist, Who Dis?" on Instagram. The post included a pregame outfit inspired by former WNBA player Cynthia Cooper, along with several pictures documenting her wrist recovery process, including warm-ups and shooting sessions while wearing a brace. Wilson is described as the heart and soul of the Aces. While the typically dominant team has struggled somewhat in 2025 (currently 10-11 and third in the Western Conference), her historic return is expected to provide a significant boost.
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