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Jalen Bridges, released by the Phoenix Suns after his rookie season on a two-way contract, joined the Boston Celtics for Summer League on his agent's advice. Despite being benched in their opening game, he started against the New York Knicks when first-round pick Hugo Gonzalez rested, seizing the opportunity with 16 points, five rebounds, two steals, and two blocks. Celtics Summer League coach Matt Reynolds praised Bridges’ readiness and professionalism, noting he "filled a role" without overextending after entering the lineup unexpectedly. Bridges stated his primary goal is to demonstrate maximum effort to impress both the Celtics and league observers, believing hard work naturally leads to opportunities: "When you play hard, the rest takes care of itself." Reflecting on his Suns tenure—where he averaged 1.1 points across eight games—he took responsibility for his release, acknowledging he underperformed relative to his capabilities. Motivated by his status as West Virginia's first active NBA player in nearly a decade and his undrafted background, Bridges embraces a "chip on his shoulder" mentality. He emphasizes controlling daily improvements and staying present to ensure his next opportunity surpasses his Phoenix experience, regardless of whether his path leads to Boston, another NBA deal, or overseas basketball.
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Tina Charles scored 20 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for the Connecticut Sun in their 79-65 loss to the Seattle Storm on Sunday. This performance pushed her career scoring total over 8,000 points, making her only the second player in WNBA history to reach this milestone, following league legend Diana Taurasi. Despite the Sun's rebuilding season, the 36-year-old Charles has averaged 15.6 points per game this year for the franchise where she began her career in 2010. Her career total of 8,019 points is second only to Taurasi's 10,646. Charles, like Taurasi, also played for the Phoenix Mercury. She signed with the Mercury in 2022 during a tumultuous season under new head coach Vanessa Nygaard. While the team made the playoffs, it was a strange season with only 15 regular-season wins and no postseason victories. Charles played alongside Taurasi and Skylar Diggins, posting the team's second-highest scoring average (17.3 points per game, plus 7.3 rebounds and 2.1 assists) and shooting well from three-point range (36.4%). However, her time with the Mercury was short-lived. After just 16 games, Charles and the team mutually agreed to terminate her contract, and she joined the Seattle Storm. Nygaard declined to comment beyond stating Charles had "elected not to play" in some games and that both sides were ready to move on. Charles clearly still has ability in 2025, but her future with the struggling Storm (currently 3-18 with a -15.6 point differential) is uncertain. While unlikely to catch Taurasi's points total, playing a few more seasons could solidify her sole possession of second place for a long time. DeWanna Bonner currently sits in third place on the all-time scoring list. Notably, the top three scorers in WNBA history are all either current or former Phoenix Mercury players.
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Defenses have begun adjusting to Kennedy Burke's exceptional three-point shooting, a trend she noticed during the Liberty's previous game against the Atlanta Dream on June 29, where she went 1-for-6 from beyond the arc. Burke and head coach Sandy Brondello acknowledged this defensive shift was inevitable given her "off the charts" shooting performance this season. Despite the recent defensive focus, Burke remains a strong contender for Sixth Player of the Year. She leads the WNBA in three-point percentage (48.6%), a significant jump from her 25.9% in 2024. Her attempts have also increased notably, from 1.5 to 3.7 per game, though her total attempts (70) are still fewer than prolific shooters like Atlanta's Rhyne Howard (185) or teammate Sabrina Ionescu (145). To counter defenses taking away her three-point shot, Burke has increasingly relied on attacking the basket off the dribble, utilizing her quick first step. She also leverages her strong defense, exemplified by six steals against Las Vegas, to generate offensive opportunities. This adaptation aims to sustain her breakout season, especially after increased minutes due to Liberty absences in the first half of the year. Burke's preparation for this defensive adjustment began in the offseason with intensive three-point practice (both catch-and-shoot and off-the-dribble) and specific work on driving to the basket. The effectiveness of this work became evident early this season, including a game where she made all four of her three-point attempts. This breakout contrasts with her 2024 season, her first with the Liberty, where she struggled to find a consistent role within the team's rigid rotation.
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A club has signed Julie Wojta, Becky Massey, Marie Guelich, Camille Droguet, and Aminata Diagne. Another club has signed Cecilia Zandalsini, Maria Conde, Jessica Shepard, Marieme Badiane, and Anete Steinberga. A third club signed Yueru Li while extending contracts for Emma Messeeman, Tilbe Senyurek, Sevgi Uzun, Olcay Cakir, Alperi Onar, and Julie Allemand. A fourth club signed Liz Dixon, Tenin Magassa, Isabelle Strunc, Vaciana Gomis, Maia Hirsch, and Lucile Jerome, while extending contracts for Coline Franchelin, Tiffany Clarke, and Noemie Brochant. A fifth club signed Ciera Johnson, Daniel Raber, Nausia Woolfolk, Ivana Jakubcova, Maria Katsoumouri, and Panorea Ntala, while extending contracts for Eleanna Christinaki, Evgenia Kollatou, and Angeliki Nikolopoulou. A sixth club signed Nika Muhl while extending contracts for Zala Friskovec, Jelena Brooks, Zsuzsanna Sitku, Szofi Sinka-Palinkas, Jovana Jevtovic, Sara Laczko, Klaudia Papp, Zora Rokob, and Vivien Borondy. A seventh club extended the contract of Ainhoa Lopez. An eighth club signed Maria Araujo, Tanaya Atkinson, and Marija Lekovic while extending contracts for Kayla Alexander, Awa Fam, Elena Buenavida, Alina Iagupova, and Raquel Carrera.
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The Houston Rockets, having already made a major splash by acquiring NBA Champion Kevin Durant, are reportedly considering further moves to bolster their roster. One potential target is veteran point guard Chris Paul, a familiar name to Rockets fans, who is currently a free agent. Despite showing he can still control an offense in limited minutes during his season with the young San Antonio Spurs, Paul is clearly past his elite prime. However, his experience and leadership are seen as valuable assets for the still-developing Rockets, who aim to compete in the tough Western Conference. Adding a player like Paul could provide crucial depth and unexpected contributions needed to challenge top teams. Paul's future is uncertain as he has yet to sign and may be considering retirement despite still being impactful. Clear signs of aging have been evident over the last two seasons, and he might choose to retire while playing at a relatively high level. Nevertheless, the Rockets are viewed as a team that should pursue him to add veteran presence and bench depth. While Paul is not an elite defender, the Rockets possess a core of long, switchable defenders who could compensate for his defensive limitations, making his addition seem like a logical fit for the team's structure. Signing Paul would continue the Rockets' strong offseason, adding another notable piece that commands league attention. Although the Rockets have an exciting young core, the focus often remains on established stars like LeBron James, Durant, and Stephen Curry. While Paul is a tier below those superstars, he remains a significant household name. Bringing him in alongside Durant is presented as a move that makes considerable sense for the Rockets to explore before the season begins.
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LeBron James' decision to opt into the final year of his contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, worth $52.6 million, sent shockwaves throughout the NBA. According to ESPN, the news caused a "tizzy" among league executives who attempted to "decode" the message conveyed by James' agent, Rich Paul. This move, placing James on a lame-duck contract entering 2025, reportedly had an immediate impact on free agency. Center Brook Lopez, who league sources indicated had strongly considered joining the Lakers for a potential starting role, instead opted to sign with the LA Clippers. Lopez reportedly grew wary of the uncertainty surrounding James' future with the Lakers. His deal with the Clippers is a two-year, $18 million contract where he will back up center Ivica Zubac. ESPN characterizes the Lakers' current situation as navigating "the most delicate superstar transition in NBA history," shifting from LeBron James to 26-year-old phenom Luka Doncic.
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The rivalry between New York Knicks' Karl-Anthony Towns and Golden State Warriors' Draymond Green intensified ahead of Saturday's game, stemming from Green's previous unapologetic comments about Towns' absence in their March 4 matchup. Despite the Knicks' loss, Towns delivered a standout performance with 29 points and 12 rebounds. He and Green engaged in a physical, high-intensity matchup throughout the contest, fulfilling pre-game expectations of their confrontation. Post-game, Green acknowledged Towns' elevated play, stating: "Good to see KAT show up and play like that... He was physical, probably most physical I’ve ever seen him." He attributed Towns' performance to "extra motivation" that enhanced the game's competitiveness. Though Knicks players had publicly dismissed Green's remarks as irrelevant to their season goals, Towns clearly channeled added motivation into his play. The team fell short without injured Jalen Brunson, marking their second loss to Golden State this season. New York now prepares to host the Miami Heat on Monday, hoping Towns maintains this heightened level of play through their playoff push.
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NBA 2K announced on July 9 that Chicago Sky superstar Angel Reese will grace the cover of the WNBA edition of NBA 2K26. The cover art depicts Reese driving to the basket while wearing her new signature Reebok shoes, accompanied by the slogan "She's got next". While the cover reveal generated mostly positive reactions, some fans expressed the opinion that other players were more deserving of the honor than Reese, a player who has only completed one full professional season. Despite this criticism, the cover recognition is considered a major achievement for Reese. New York Liberty star Sabrina Ionescu, who was the WNBA cover athlete for NBA 2K24, commented on Reese's selection after her team's practice on July 11. Ionescu emphasized the global significance and anticipation surrounding the 2K cover, stating she was "really happy" for Reese to receive such recognition early in her career and understood how much it meant, drawing from her own experience. Ionescu specifically highlighted the "iconic" nature of Reese debuting her signature shoe on the cover, calling it "knocking two birds with one stone". Ionescu, known for speaking highly of the WNBA's young stars, clearly includes Reese in that group and supports her accomplishment.
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On July 11, 2025, Malacañang announced that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. vetoed legislation intended to designate the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) as a National Polytechnic University. Palace Press Officer Claire Castro stated during a press conference that the veto resulted from PUP's failure to fulfill specific operational requirements mandated by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), particularly concerning the management of its regular and extension campuses.
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The article highlights NBA legends like Dirk Nowitzki, Kobe Bryant, and Tim Duncan who spent their entire Hall of Fame careers with one team, winning championships, as a model of loyalty and success. This context sets the stage for Phoenix Suns star guard Devin Booker, who recently agreed to a historic two-year, $145 million max extension, the richest annual salary in NBA history, keeping him with the Suns through the 2029-30 season. Booker, now in his 10th season, has expressed his desire to finish his career in Phoenix, appreciating his bond with the city. However, for his loyalty to be truly meaningful, the article emphasizes that the Suns must position themselves to win their first championship – a feat Booker helped them nearly achieve once. The Suns are currently undergoing a significant transition. After missing the playoffs last season for the first time since 2020, they have traded away star power like Kevin Durant (with Bradley Beal also expected to leave) and overhauled their roster. Their new strategy focuses on toughness, length, and athleticism. Acquisitions include Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks (via the Durant trade), Mark Williams, and draft picks Khaman Maluach, Rasheer Fleming, and Koby Brea. While seen as an "OK start," the effectiveness of this new roster under first-year coach Jordan Ott remains uncertain, especially with limited draft assets, leaving the team's immediate future unpredictable and requiring patience. Booker earned Suns fans' loyalty by staying through difficult early years marked by very low win totals. His development was evident when, under coach Monty Williams and alongside Chris Paul in the 2020-21 season, he led a young Suns team on a surprising run to the NBA Finals (losing to Milwaukee). The following season, they set a franchise record with 64 wins, and Booker finished fourth in MVP voting, solidifying his status as a top NBA talent at just 25 years old.
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NBA free agent Al Horford is widely expected to sign with the Golden State Warriors, though his decision remains pending. NBA insiders Zach Lowe and Marc Stein both report that Horford appears "destined" for Golden State, with Lowe noting on his podcast that "something is delaying" the move despite strong indications of the outcome. This potential signing would represent another significant loss for the Boston Celtics this offseason, following the trades of Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porziņģis. The situation is compounded by Jayson Tatum's anticipated absence during part of the 2025-26 season as he recovers from an Achilles injury sustained in the playoffs. Horford has been instrumental for Boston since 2021-22, serving as a veteran leader and helping secure the 2023-24 championship. While no longer a high-stat producer, the 39-year-old provides valuable floor spacing with his career 37.7% three-point shooting, solid rebounding, and effective interior defense when needed. The Warriors' championship-focused timeline with Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and Jimmy Butler makes Horford an ideal fit. His extensive playoff experience (197 career postseason games) and perimeter shooting would enhance Golden State's offense, particularly in pick-and-pop situations with Curry, offering a more potent frontcourt threat than Green's 32% career three-point shooting. This acquisition could significantly strengthen the Warriors in the competitive Western Conference.
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The provided information lists fourteen current and upcoming WNBA teams: Las Vegas Aces, Atlanta Dream, Indiana Fever, New York Liberty, Minnesota Lynx, Phoenix Mercury, Washington Mystics, Chicago Sky, Los Angeles Sparks, Seattle Storm, Connecticut Sun, Toronto Tempo, Dallas Wings, and Golden State Valkyries. Notably, this includes the expansion teams Toronto Tempo and Golden State Valkyries. It specifically announces an upcoming regular season game between the Indiana Fever and the Atlanta Dream. This game is scheduled for Friday, July 11th. It will take place at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, the Fever's home arena, with tip-off set for 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time. Information on purchasing tickets for the game is also provided.
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Trade rumors surrounding LeBron James have intensified following a statement released by his agent, Rich Paul, which hinted at James' dissatisfaction with the Lakers. James, openly pursuing a fifth championship to narrow the gap with Michael Jordan, possesses a no-trade clause, meaning the Lakers would only consider moving him if he requested a trade. A specific trade proposal from Bleacher Report suggests a potential deal where the Denver Nuggets would acquire LeBron James and his son Bronny James. In return, the Los Angeles Lakers would receive DaRon Holmes II, Jamal Murray, Peyton Watson, and a 2028 first-round pick swap. Jamal Murray is highlighted as the key asset for the Lakers, being the Nuggets' second-best player. However, the trade faces significant fit issues for the Lakers, as both Murray and existing Laker Luka Doncic are ball-dominant point guards who operate poorly off the ball. Acquiring Murray would create redundancy on the roster. For Denver, adding LeBron would pair him with Nikola Jokic, creating a superstar duo for a title run, making the trade highly appealing to the Nuggets if available. James would reportedly only approve a move to Denver if Jokic remains, explaining Murray's inclusion in the proposal since Jokic is considered untouchable. Conversely, the Lakers have little incentive to accept this deal, as better trade options likely exist that wouldn't duplicate existing skillsets. Ultimately, the Lakers are viewed as highly unlikely to trade James this season. His agent's statement is interpreted as leverage to pressure the Lakers into making offseason roster improvements. There is minimal indication James genuinely wants to leave Los Angeles, with expectations he will play a few more seasons before retiring as a Laker.
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Jimmy Butler, after being traded to the Golden State Warriors from the Miami Heat midway through last season in a deal that sent Andrew Wiggins, Kyle Anderson, and a first-round pick to Miami, has launched a business venture in San Francisco. The owner of BIGFACE coffee, Butler has partnered with Square to bring his coffee brand to the Bay Area. He stated that San Francisco's legendary coffee culture makes it an ideal location, aiming to connect more deeply with the community that has embraced him. According to EATER SF's Paul Bicchieri, the BIGFACE location in the Mission will offer espresso drinks, cold brew, pour-over coffee, bags of the hard-to-find coffee beans, and exclusive merchandise. Drink infusions will include vanilla, salted caramel, and strawberry. On the court last season, Butler helped the Warriors reach the second round of the playoffs, defeating the Houston Rockets before losing to the Minnesota Timberwolves. He averaged 17.5 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per game.
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Despite offseason improvements, the Houston Rockets still require depth at the point guard position. While they could find a guard during Summer League mini-camp, adding a veteran free agent to serve as a key rotational player is another beneficial option. Although some available guards seek starting roles, limiting Houston's choices, the free-agent market offers several suitable players. Malcolm Brogdon, 32, is looking for a new team, and the Rockets could be a good fit. Despite an injury-plagued 2024-25 season where he averaged 12.7 points, 4.1 assists, and 3.8 rebounds in 24 games for Washington, he is a proven role player for five franchises. On a team-friendly deal, he could become a valuable addition as Houston's sixth team. Cory Joseph, a former first-round pick, is a rotational guard who has played for seven NBA teams. Coming off a solid 50-game season with Orlando, his playing time was limited due to a crowded guard rotation. As he seeks his next team, the Rockets, with a less crowded guard room than other teams, could be a solid option for the journeyman. Former first-round pick Nah'Shon "Bones" Hyland, having played for four teams in four seasons, is again seeking a new franchise to prove his value. Given the Rockets' need for shooting, the front office could inquire about Hyland to provide much-needed depth and a sharpshooting role off the bench.
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The NBA Summer League provides dedicated fans with early access to emerging talent during a basketball content lull and offers casual fans a preview of potential future NBA superstars. Each summer typically features one or two players whose professional debuts generate significant media attention, becoming major spectacles. Justice Winslow's 2015 Summer League debut exemplified this phenomenon. Though Jahlil Okafor was a more highly regarded prospect entering the NBA, Winslow garnered intense scrutiny after unexpectedly slipping to the No. 10 draft pick. This attention intensified when reports revealed the Boston Celtics had offered the Charlotte Hornets six draft picks (including four first-rounders) for the No. 9 selection to potentially draft Winslow, which Charlotte declined, allowing Miami to select him. Winslow performed well in his debut, scoring 15 points with 3 assists and shooting 50% from the field. Despite the promising start, Winslow's NBA career ultimately stalled; he played for four teams over eight seasons and was out of the league by age 26. The article also references Ben Simmons' NBA Summer League highlights from 2016 as another notable player debut featured in this retrospective.
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Jade Jones attended the Indiana Fever vs. Golden State Valkyries game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, drawing significant attention with her courtside appearance, famous friends, and a $2,900 Wander handbag, which became a talking point. Jones is the girlfriend of Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton and a close friend of Fever guard Caitlin Clark. Haliburton is also friends with Clark's boyfriend, Connor McCaffery, a former Pacers staffer, and the four maintain an active group chat, explaining Jones's presence at Clark's first game back after missing five contests with a groin injury. The Fever lost the game 80-61, with Clark playing 25 minutes and contributing 10 points, 6 assists, and 5 rebounds. Jones has admired Clark since her college days at Iowa, despite Jones attending rival Iowa State (where she was a cheerleader) after graduating from Davenport West High School in Iowa. While Jones rooted for Clark once she entered the WNBA, Haliburton only became a consistent supporter after Clark joined the Fever, though he followed her career earlier due to his friendship with McCaffery. Jones and Haliburton met during their freshman year at Iowa State and have been together for six years. They named their goldendoodle "Ames" after the city where they met. Jones now teaches elementary school in Iowa and regularly attends Pacers games and Haliburton's major career moments, including Team USA's Olympic gold win in Paris. Her support is particularly crucial now as Haliburton suffered an Achilles injury during the Pacers' NBA Finals loss and will miss the entire 2025-26 season. Jones expressed pride in the Pacers' historic season on social media but acknowledged the "bittersweet" ending. With Haliburton sidelined for the upcoming season, Jones's steady presence is expected to be a key source of support during his recovery.
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Sabrina Ionescu led the New York Liberty to an 87-78 victory over the Las Vegas Aces with 28 points, eight assists, and eight rebounds, as the Aces lost star player A'ja Wilson to a right wrist injury in the first half. A'ja Wilson sustained the injury halfway through the second quarter, falling hard and spending several minutes on the court surrounded by teammates; she did not return to the game and was later seen on the bench in the third quarter with her wrist wrapped. After the game was tied at 72, New York (13-6) scored eight consecutive points, fueled by Ionescu's contributions, while Las Vegas (9-10) made their final basket with 5:41 remaining, and the Liberty secured the win with clutch free throws down the stretch. In the first half, the Liberty held a narrow lead for most of the period, with Ionescu scoring 10 points and recently-returned Leonie Fiebich adding eight; their advantage reached nine points at its peak, but Jackie Young's last-minute layup gave the Aces a 42-40 halftime lead. For Las Vegas, Jackie Young topped scoring with 19 points, followed by NaLyssa Smith and Chelsea Gray with 11 points each. The Liberty faced injury issues of their own, as starter Natasha Cloud missed the game due to a left hip injury from a previous contest, while Jonquel Jones and Isabelle Harrison remained sidelined with ankle and knee injuries.
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The Portland Trail Blazers have been placed in West Group C for the 2025 NBA Emirates Cup group stage, as announced by the league. Their group features the Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, Denver Nuggets, and San Antonio Spurs. This draw is considered particularly tough for the Trail Blazers, who are projected to finish last in the group. They will face star players including Stephen Curry (Warriors), Nikola Jokić (Nuggets), Kevin Durant (Suns), and Victor Wembanyama (Spurs), all supported by strong rosters. The group is described as exceptionally challenging, though the article notes the possibility of advancement with "NBA Cup magic." The Emirates NBA Cup group play begins on October 31 and concludes on November 28. Teams will play each opponent in their group once in a round-robin format. Eight teams will advance to the knockout rounds: the top team from each of the six groups, plus one wild card team from each conference (the second-place team with the best group play record). The single-elimination knockout rounds start with quarterfinals hosted in NBA team markets on December 9-10. The tournament then moves to Las Vegas, with the semifinals on December 13 and the championship game on December 16. In the previous season's NBA Cup, the Trail Blazers finished fourth in their group with a 2-2 record and did not qualify for the knockout rounds.
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Colorado Rockies pitcher Germán Márquez anticipates rejoining the team's starting rotation around the All-Star break as he recovers from Tommy John surgery performed on his right elbow in May 2023. Despite the injury, he signed a two-year contract extension last September, expressing optimism about the future of the rotation and the team. Márquez is encouraged by the rotation's improved performance in May 2024, posting a 3.77 ERA over 23 games. He also highlighted the expected mid-June return of left-hander Kyle Freeland and praised the recent outings of Austin Gomber (Majors' fourth-lowest May ERA at 0.68) and Cal Quantrill (eighth-lowest May ERA at 1.71). He noted that Ryan Feltner is performing well aside from occasional big innings. Márquez experienced a minor setback on May 10 during a rehab game in the Arizona Complex League, feeling pain and inflammation behind his elbow after pitching. While he hasn't appeared in a game since, this downtime allows his 30-day Minor League rehab clock to restart. He recently threw a "touch-and-feel" bullpen session and plans a full bullpen soon. Márquez is currently rehabbing in Scottsdale but will join the Rockies during their upcoming series at Dodger Stadium for observation. Reflecting on his pre-surgery performance, Márquez acknowledged velocity and location dips in 2021 and 2022, attributing them to a release point issue with his fastball. Although he felt he corrected the mechanics last spring, attempting to increase his extension led to the elbow problems requiring surgery. Early feedback indicates he can safely throw all his pitches—slider, curveball, and changeup—with the corrected mechanics, and his focus is on reaching 100% health to return to the field.
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John Marquez is currently starring in the production "Opening Night" at the Gielgud Theatre in London. Marquez is a British actor with extensive stage and screen credits. His recent theatre work includes playing Alfred Doolittle in "Pygmalion" at the Old Vic, where he also previously appeared in "The American Clock" and "Flea in her Ear". His diverse theatre career encompasses roles in productions such as "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" at the Savoy Theatre, "Privates on Parade" at the Noël Coward Theatre, "Ragtime" at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, "The Taming of the Shrew" for the Royal Shakespeare Company, "The Anniversary" at the Garrick Theatre, and "The Emperor Jones", "Market Boy", and "Sing Yer Heart Out for the Lads", all performed at the National Theatre. On television, Marquez is widely recognized for his role as PC Joseph Penhale in the popular ITV series "Doc Martin".
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Conductor Sir John Eliot Gardiner has announced his resignation as leader and artistic director of the Monteverdi Choir and Orchestras (MCO), which he founded. This decision follows an alleged incident last August where Gardiner reportedly struck bass soloist William Thomas after a performance of Berlioz’s Les Troyens at the Festival Berlioz in La Côte-Saint-André, France. The incident occurred when Thomas reportedly went the wrong way offstage. Gardiner stated he has "apologised repeatedly and unreservedly for losing control in such an inappropriate fashion" and described the incident as "deeply regrettable." He revealed he has undergone extensive therapy and counselling over the past 11 months. After "a long period of deep consideration and reflection," he concluded that stepping down was "the best way forward for both myself and for the MCO" to allow for a "clear change in our relationship." The MCO board confirmed the decision in a statement, stating Gardiner "will not be returning to the organisation." Gardiner emphasized his heavy heart at leaving the choir he founded in 1964, calling it the "proudest and most inspiring project" of his life after six decades of collaboration. He stressed he does not intend to retire but will focus on guest conducting, recording, writing, and educational projects as part of a "lighter, lower pressure schedule." Gardiner had previously withdrawn from engagements, including a BBC Prom, following the incident. He notably conducted the Monteverdi Choir during King Charles III’s coronation in May 2023.
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The Indiana Pacers are unlikely to re-sign center Thomas Bryant in free agency following several roster moves addressing their center position after Myles Turner's departure to the Milwaukee Bucks. The team acquired Jay Huff, re-signed James Wiseman, exercised their team option on Tony Bradley, and extended a qualifying offer to Isaiah Jackson, making him a restricted free agent. This influx of big men, particularly the addition of floor-spacer Huff, leaves little room for Bryant. While Bryant performed his role well after being traded to the Pacers last December and had a notable performance in the conference finals, he fell out of the playoff rotation and is not considered a long-term fit. The Pacers are expected to rely on multiple centers next season (Huff, Wiseman, Bradley, Jackson) to provide specific skills like floor spacing, size, rebounding, and energy, viewing it as a gap year to evaluate options. Replacing Turner, who offered unique rim protection and floor-stretching abilities, is acknowledged as a significant challenge for the Pacers. However, the current roster construction and the lack of a distinct role for Bryant strongly indicate he has likely played his last game for Indiana.
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Guillian Quines delivered a career-high 35 points, along with 11 rebounds, four assists, and five steals, while Migz Osis contributed crucial baskets, including the final five points, to lead Benilde-La Salle Green Hills (LSGH) to a 95-91 victory over University of Perpetual Help System DALTA in Game 2 of the NCAA Season 100 juniors basketball finals. This win forces a deciding Game 3 on Tuesday. Despite playing without the suspended Arle Podador, LSGH, fueled by Quines' 25 first-half points, built an early 11-point lead. However, Perpetual mounted a 24-12 run to take a slim 54-53 halftime advantage. Perpetual later extended their lead to 82-76 in the fourth quarter after a Jericho Cristino three-pointer. LSGH fought back, with Gian Gomez hitting a critical three-pointer assisted by Quines to give them a 90-87 lead with 32.8 seconds remaining. Perpetual responded quickly, scoring four points on Icee Callangan free throws and a Jan Roluna basket to retake the lead 91-90 with 24 seconds left. Osis then became the hero for LSGH, scoring a transition layup and sinking three subsequent free throws to seal the 95-91 victory. For Perpetual, Jan Roluna led the scoring with 25 points, seven rebounds, three steals, two assists, and one block, supported by JD Pagulayan (13 points) and Dan Rosales (11 points). Season MVP Lebron Jhames Daep was held to a season-low eight points but contributed 14 rebounds, six steals, two assists, and two blocks.
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Toronto Raptors leading scorer Scottie Barnes suffered an ankle injury during Monday night's game. Barnes landed on Karl-Anthony Towns' foot while attempting to block a shot, immediately falling to the ground in significant pain. Broadcast footage showed him stating "I can't feel my foot," and he required assistance to leave the court, not returning to the game. He was seen wearing a walking boot at the team facility the following day. On Wednesday, the Raptors announced Barnes has a sprained right ankle and will be re-evaluated in one week. This update came after ESPN's Shams Charania reported earlier that day that Barnes was expected to miss "several weeks" due to the injury, though the team's announcement suggests a shorter initial assessment period. Even several weeks is considered a better outcome than initially feared. Barnes' absence is a setback for the struggling Raptors (7-18, 14th in the Eastern Conference). He has been playing at an All-Star level this season, averaging 20.6 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 7.4 assists per game, and serves as the primary catalyst for their offense. The team performs significantly better (+4.1 net rating) when he is on the court. However, the injury is not viewed as catastrophic for a team currently more focused on the draft than making the playoffs. While no specific timeline for his return has been established, the Raptors are not expected to rush Barnes back from the injury.
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The Indiana Pacers recently reached Game 7 of the NBA Finals following a season characterized by physical play, fast-paced offense, and strong team cohesion. Team morale was high, and ownership reportedly planned to enter the luxury tax to re-sign starting center Myles Turner, an impending unrestricted free agent. This confidence stemmed from the Pacers' competitive roster—featuring depth, talent across positions, and franchise point guard Tyrese Haliburton leading deep playoff runs. However, Haliburton's season-ending Achilles tear dramatically altered the team's trajectory. Post-injury, ownership reversed course, refusing to exceed the luxury tax threshold to retain Turner despite his desire to stay. Consequently, Turner signed a four-year, $107 million contract with the Milwaukee Bucks—a deal viewed as strong value—leaving the Pacers questioning their future direction. Haliburton is expected to rehabilitate throughout the 2025-26 season and return in 2026-27, but his recovery will be lengthy. Meanwhile, replacements Andrew Nembhard and T.J. McConnell face limited upside without Haliburton and Turner, potentially triggering ripple effects. Veteran forward Pascal Siakam, 31, may reassess his commitment amid diminished championship prospects.
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