The Take
One basketball opinion. No hedge.
Max Strus's Partial Plantar Fascia Tear Puts Him Out at Least 4 Weeks
The Clippers' $16.6 million trade-exception pickup tore the plantar fascia in his right foot 14 months after a left-foot fracture, and his re-evaluation lands on the Nov. 2 Toronto game.
9.4 Assists a Game Make Jeremy Fears Jr. the Big Ten Preseason Player of the Year
The Michigan State point guard led the country in assists, set the school single-season record with 328 and was one of two unanimous picks on the Big Ten media's preseason all-league team.
Tobias Harris's Calf Strain Leaves Him Questionable for Spurs' Oct. 20 Opener
Harris, signed to a two-year, $31 million deal per ESPN, will miss all five preseason games and be reevaluated before San Antonio's opener against Oklahoma City.
Coby White Will Miss All 4 Hornets Preseason Games With a Left Calf Strain
Charlotte's new starting point guard strained his left calf in camp after a year of calf management, and the team set no timeline for the Oct. 21 opener in Brooklyn.
Nic Claxton's Hamstring Tweak Brings a Two-Week Re-Evaluation Before Bulls Opener
Tiago Splitter says the Bulls' new starting center will be re-evaluated in two weeks, on Oct. 19, two days before Chicago opens in Toronto. Opening Night remains possible.
Zoja Štirn's ACL Tear Leaves Purdue Down to 12 Available Players
The Slovenian freshman is out for 2026-27 after a torn left ACL, the second season-ending knee injury in Purdue's guard room in three weeks, leaving Kyndall Hunter as the last healthy point guard.
Janelle Salaün Unanimously Wins 2026 WNBA Sixth Player of the Year
The Golden State Valkyries forward received all 74 votes after leading every reserve at 12.7 points per game and setting a WNBA record with 509 points off the bench.
Valkyries Out-Rebound Aces 52-25 to Take Game 1, 71-60
Golden State won the glass 52-25, with 17 offensive rebounds to two for Las Vegas, and Gabby Williams scored 25 as the Valkyries took a 1-0 semifinal lead.
Dream Beat Liberty 92-82 in Game 1 as Canada Scores 25
Jordin Canada scored 25 with five steals and DeWanna Bonner added 23 after Allisha Gray's left hand injury as Atlanta took a 1-0 semifinal lead.
Liberty-Dream Game 1 Follows New York's Historic Sweep of the No. 1 Lynx
New York became the first No. 8 seed to eliminate a No. 1 in league history, and the best-of-five semifinal against Atlanta opens Sunday at State Farm Arena.
No. 30 Recruit Taylor Brown Commits to South Carolina
The Long Island Lutheran point guard chose the Gamecocks over Tennessee and North Carolina and is South Carolina's first commitment in the 2027 class.
Gabby Williams' 19 a Game Against the Aces Frames Sunday's Semifinal
Williams averaged 19.0 points a game in Golden State's three regular-season losses to Las Vegas, and the best-of-five semifinal opens Sunday at Chase Center.
Jordan Hawkins Hits Free Agency 24 Days After Memphis Trade
The Grizzlies and the 2023 No. 14 pick mutually agreed to part ways 24 days after trading for him, and Hawkins will become a free agent once he clears waivers.
A'ja Wilson's 36 and 10 Close Out the Fever
Wilson bookended the series with 38 and 16 in Game 1 and 36 and 10 in Game 3 as Las Vegas ended Indiana's season for the second straight year.
77-73 Gives the Valkyries Their First Playoff Series Win
Golden State erased a 16-point third-quarter hole, beat Dallas 77-73 in Game 3, and won the franchise's first playoff series.
$24 Million Locks Jamal Shead in Toronto Through 2029-30
The $8 million average annual value lands just two seasons after Shead went No. 45 in the 2024 NBA draft out of Houston. Agent KJ Smith told ESPN's Shams Charania the parties had agreed. In 2025-26 Shead posted 354 assists off the bench, a league-best mark and the most in franchise history for a reserve, while playing all 82 regular-season games.
Arike Ogunbowale's 45 Sets the WNBA Playoff Scoring Record
Those 45 points cleared the old mark of 42, shared by Napheesa Collier (2024), Breanna Stewart (2022), and Angel McCoughtry (2010). Ogunbowale went 12-of-23 from the field, 5-of-8 from three, and 16-of-18 at the line in 42 minutes, adding seven rebounds, four assists, and three steals.
Jalen Duren Accepts Pistons' $200 Million Deal
The All-NBA center agreed to a five-year, $200 million fully guaranteed contract about 90 minutes before the 11:59 p.m. ET deadline on his $9.6 million qualifying offer, ending his restricted free agency standoff with the Pistons.
Jessica Shepard Takes 29 of 74 Votes for Kia Most Improved
Dallas Wings forward Jessica Shepard wins the 2026 Kia WNBA Most Improved Player award with 29 of 74 media votes after a 14.5-point, 11.1-rebound, 5.3-assist season.
Mikey Lewis' Thursday Surgery Sidelines Texas' 13.9 PPG Transfer
Lewis, the Saint Mary's transfer who averaged 13.9 points last season, fractured the fifth metatarsal in his right foot and will have Thursday surgery; Texas says he will miss an extended period and the injury is not expected to be season-ending.
Jaden Akins' $678K Two-Way Fills the Knicks' Last Slot
Akins will earn $678,882, half the rookie minimum, on New York's third two-way, with a $0 cap hit and a 50-game limit unless the Knicks promote him.
Three Finalists Bid $12 Billion-Plus for the NBA's Las Vegas Team
Sources told ESPN the NBA is reviewing three finalist bids of at least $12 billion to $13 billion for a Las Vegas team and a new arena, with a winner expected soon.
Jonquel Jones' 21 and 13 Finish the Liberty's Sweep of the No. 1 Lynx
New York beat Minnesota 87-71 at Barclays Center and made the Lynx the first No. 1 seed in WNBA playoff history swept in an opening series.
Chris Holtmann's DePaul Extension Runs Through 2031
DePaul locked its Big East rebuild coach through 2031 after an 11-win jump, a KenPom leap, and the program's best conference finish since joining the league.
Caitlin Clark's 27 and 15 Force a Game 3
Clark's 15 assists and 27 points beat Las Vegas 99-89 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse and sent the first-round series to a Game 3 on Thursday in Las Vegas.
Jackie Young's 21 and 10 Put the Aces Up 1-0
Young's third career playoff double-double fed a 102-85 Game 1 that sent Indiana home needing a must-win on Tuesday.
Brandon Ingram's Partial Achilles Keeps Him Out of Oct. 21
Clippers media day reveals the Kawhi trade centerpiece is recovering from a partial Achilles tear found in May heel surgery and will miss the opener vs. Sacramento.
Breanna Stewart's 34 Points Put the No. 1 Lynx on the Brink
Eighth-seeded New York steals Game 1 in Minneapolis 91-75 behind Stewart's 34-12-6 as Collier and Howard foul out.
Jalen Duren's $200 Million Rejection Keeps Him Out of Camp
Restricted free agent turns down Detroit's five-year fully guaranteed offer, skips media day, and stays out as the Oct. 1 qualifying offer clock hits Thursday.
$9.66 Million Trade Exception Comes Out of Charlotte's Dillingham Deal
Bulls flip Rob Dillingham for Buddy Hield and cash. Hornets create a $9.66 million trade exception and take in $3M less salary.
A'ja Wilson Takes 15 of 17 First-Place Votes for a Third Straight AP Award
Las Vegas star takes 15 of 17 first-place votes for an unprecedented third straight AP WNBA Player of the Year and a fourth career award past Breanna Stewart.
No Restrictions for Kyrie Irving 19 Months After His ACL Tear
No physical restrictions after 19 months. Dusty May's first camp opens with Kyrie cleared and the Oct. 21 opener at Houston still on the board.
Kon Knueppel's Hamstring Sidelines His 273 Threes for Hornets Preseason
Left hamstring. The entire preseason gone. First rookie to lead the NBA in threes waits on a first-week reevaluation before Brooklyn.
Roddy Gayle Jr.'s Fifth Year Restocks Michigan's Guard Line
Niagara County preliminary injunction. Fifth season for the champ. McCoy's ACL hole gets a 6-5 wing who already has the title tape.
Stephen Curry Takes $20M Less on His $116M Warriors Extension
Two years, $116 million, player option in 2028-29. About $20 million under the max across both years, with roughly $10 million of it freed on the 2027-28 cap sheet.
76-75 Locks Golden State's No. 2 Seed
Golden State rallies from 16 down to beat Los Angeles 76-75, lock the No. 2 seed, and open the playoffs at home against Dallas.
Paige Bueckers' 878 Caps Wings' Record 17-Win Turnaround
Seattle cut a 19-point hole to six with 17-4 in the fourth, then Awak Kuier and Paige Bueckers answered with consecutive threes and Dallas closed 103-91 at Climate Pledge Arena.
Dereck Lively's 43 Games Leave Camp Status Open
Lively has played 43 games across the past two seasons, and his status for the regular-season opener remains open with camp starting Saturday.
Shakira Austin's 25 and 13 Push Mystics to Franchise-Record 27
Austin's night also delivered a career-high 11 free throws, her 20th double-double, and a new Mystics single-season rebounding mark at 397 boards, while Washington moved to 27-16 and one game clear of Dallas and New York with Thursday's home date against Chicago left on the regular-season sheet.
Lynx Lock No. 1 Seed and Home Court at 32-11
Portland's overtime finish at Moda Center handed Minnesota the No. 1 seed before the Lynx even tipped Thursday.
How Dawson Battie's No. 34 Resets Nebraska Recruiting
The St. Mark's (Texas) power forward, ranked No. 34 in the SC Next 100 and No. 7 at his position, becomes only the second top-35 commit to Lincoln since ESPN's recruiting database opened in 2007, after Bryce McGowens sat at No. 26 in the 2021 class.
Buddy Hield's $9.7 Million Lands Finney-Smith in Atlanta
The Hawks send Hield's fully guaranteed $9.66 million salary and Nembhard's $2.15 million expiring deal to the Hornets and take back Finney-Smith's $14.2 million cap hit, sources told ESPN's Shams Charania.
$678K Two-Way Puts Cam Whitmore in Denver
Whitmore will earn $678,882, half the rookie minimum, with a $0 cap hit for Denver, while Cleveland still owes his fully guaranteed $5.46 million from the prior deal under a waive-and-stretch that carries about $1.82 million in dead cap for each of the next three seasons.
$115 Million Extension Keeps Kawhi in Toronto
The deal carries a player option for the 2028-29 season, locking the All-NBA forward into a second Toronto stint after the Clippers trade cleared earlier this month, his agent Harrison Gaines of SLASH Sports told ESPN.
$9.3 Million Moves Jaden Bradley Off Toronto's Two-Way
The Raptors converted the No. 50 pick to a four-year, $9.3 million deal with the first year guaranteed, then slid Malachi Smith into the two-way slot Bradley just vacated.
A'ja Wilson's Second 1,000-Point Season Stands Alone
A'ja Wilson became the first WNBA player with two 1,000-point seasons when she reached 1,000 again with 3:39 left in the second quarter, then finished with 30 points in Las Vegas's 98-77 win over Seattle on Sunday.
Valkyries Pack 397,408 Fans Into a Second Straight Sellout Season
The Golden State Valkyries finished their second-season home slate with 397,408 fans across 22 sellouts at Chase Center, a 17-5 home record, and the only franchise in league history to sell out every home game over its first two seasons.
770 Points: Olivia Miles Passes Clark's Rookie Mark
Olivia Miles passed Caitlin Clark's WNBA rookie scoring record with her 770th point on a free throw 29 seconds into the second quarter, then finished with 21 points in Minnesota's 101-89 win at Connecticut on Sunday.
$60 Million Locks Pelle Larsson Through Four Years in Miami
Miami locked Pelle Larsson on a four-year extension worth up to $60 million with a mutual option for 2030-31, starting at about $13.5 million in 2027-28 after his 11.4-point / 54-start jump, so he never reaches restricted free agency next summer.
Ausar Thompson's $155M Locks Five Years in Detroit
Detroit locked Ausar Thompson on a fully guaranteed five-year $155M extension after his All-Defensive First Team / DPOY-3 / steals-title season, with one more year at about $11.12M before the $31M AAV hits.
Keyonte George's $157.5M Locks Five Years in Utah
Utah locked Keyonte George on a five-year $157.5M extension with no options after his 23.6 PPG / 6.1 APG breakout, with one more season at about $6.56M before the roughly $31.5M AAV hits.
Saddiq Bey's $55.5M Locks Through 2029-30
New Orleans locked Saddiq Bey on a fully guaranteed three-year $55.5M extension starting 2027-28 through 2029-30, with a 15% trade kicker, after his 17.7 PPG bounce-back on $6.44M this year.
Marina Mabrey's 20.8 Ends on a $2.4M Tempo Deal
Career-high 20.8 points on a two-year $2.4 million deal, with four games left for the expansion Tempo.
FIBA Bars Back-to-Backs at Tokyo's 2030 World Cup
Andreas Zagklis already said the Berlin schedule will not be repeated, and the board decision lands only four days after USA's 97-79 gold over France.
76 Days: Leonard Trade Clears for Ingram and Two Firsts
Seventy-six days after the June 30 agreement, Toronto completed the Kawhi Leonard trade for Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, unprotected firsts in 2031 and 2033, a 2027 first-round swap, and seconds in 2030 and 2033.
Breanna Stewart's Second World Cup MVP at 12.8
Stewart averaged 12.8, 7.3, and 2.8 and became the first two-time Women's World Cup MVP after a 22-and-10 final in USA's 97-79 gold over France.
22 and 10: Stewart Seals USA's Fifth Straight Gold
USA beat France 97-79 for a fifth straight Women's World Cup gold after trailing by 14; Stewart 22 and 10, Young 18-6-5, Clark's horn three to 45-43.
Stewart's 16 and 266 Put USA in Its Fifth Straight Final
Stewart 16/6/2; 266 career WC pts past Cheryl Miller; USA 76-66 Spain; fifth straight WC final vs France Sunday 2pm ET.
Devin Carter's $5.16 Million Still Counts After Atlanta Waived Him
Atlanta waived Devin Carter on Friday and still carries his fully guaranteed $5,158,080 for 2026-27.
Gabby Williams' 22 Put France in Its First World Cup Final
France beat host Germany 86-64; Williams 22/5/5/4 POTG; first France WC final / first podium since 1953.
Williams' Torn Labrum Puts Five Months on His $38 Million
Williams tore his left labrum in an offseason workout, had surgery Thursday, and is expected to miss about five months on a fully guaranteed three-year, $38 million Suns deal.
52 Points: Collier's 19 Ends Hungary
Watch Collier's first ten minutes. Ten points before Hungary could settle the paint.
Fiebich's 17 and 10 Put Host Germany Past Belgium
Host Germany beat Belgium 93-74 to reach its first FIBA Women's World Cup semifinal.
Cade Tyson's 19.6 Is Back in Minnesota Practice
Cade Tyson is back in Minnesota practice while eligibility clearance remains unresolved.
Alanna Smith's 12-Minute Exit Ends Her World Cup
Alanna Smith is out for the rest of the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup after a 12-minute injury scare.
Hawkins' $5.7M Exit Clears Mathurin
New Orleans cleared $5.7 million by sending Jordan Hawkins to Memphis, opening room for Bennedict Mathurin.
How Stewart's 19-7-6 in 17 Minutes Reset USA
Breanna Stewart's 19-7-6 in 17 minutes reset USA after the Italy scare.
Lelik's 23-8-4 Puts Hungary on USA
Lelik's 23-8-4 night sends Hungary into the quarterfinals against USA.
22 Threes: France Breaks the Women's World Cup Record
France hit a Women's World Cup-record 22 threes in a 111-56 win over Nigeria.
Ezi Magbegor's 21 Put Australia Into the Final Phase
Magbegor 21 on 10-of-14. Australia 87-71 over Türkiye. Final Phase locked. Belgium next Monday.
Dakorien Moore's 62 Yards Break the Autzen Tie
Career-high 378 from Dante Moore. Boise State tied it late. Then the stop-and-go with 7:51 left. Oregon 34-27.
Han Xu's 22 and 14 Dragged China Through Overtime
China 74 Czechia 70 in OT at Berlin Arena. Han 22 and 14. TCL POTG. China 1-1; Czechia 0-2.
14 and 11: Clark's World Cup Debut Against China
Off the bench in Berlin. Fourteen points. Eleven assists. Zero turnovers. USA 94-61 over China and 7-foot-3 Zhang Ziyu.
Sika Kone's Fifth Straight Double-Double Beats Spain
Mali 82 Spain 73 in Berlin. Kone 19 and 10. First five consecutive Women's World Cup double-doubles. Mali's second tournament win ever.
Ben Simmons Signs One-Year $3.5M With the Kings
Sacramento paid the nine-year vet min after a second workout and in-depth medicals. Acuff gets a 6'10 backup who can mentor, help, and short-roll — if the back holds.
Cathy Engelbert Retires as WNBA Franchise Values Hit $460 Million
League announced Friday. End of 2026. Average team value went from $10 million in 2019 to about $460 million. First million-dollar salaries already landed in the spring CBA.
$30 Million and Five Firsts Hit the Clippers
Ballmer is out a year. Leonard pays $700,000 and keeps the Toronto path. Camp is still a month out.
Satou Sabally Out Rest of 2026 After 13 Games
The Liberty shut down their free-agent forward on Thursday. A June 23 concussion never gave New York the season it paid for.
How Amen Thompson’s $208M Extension Reshapes the Rockets
Houston paid for the defender who bends its lineups. Now the offense has to give him enough control to justify the next cap era.
Skylar Diggins Out Rest of 2026 on a $1.86M Sky Deal
Last check-in was July 3 in Vegas. Nineteen points. Then the knee. Sky shut her down Tuesday. Four games left when the league comes back.
51 Points: NAW and Dort Kept Canada at 8-0
Trailed 40-23 with Dort in foul trouble. Third quarter 25-16. Laprovittola still got 31. Canada is 8-0. Next is Uruguay on Nov. 26.
Kawhi Leonard's Year-Long Probe Now Includes the SEC
Daktronics' CFO said the SEC is seeking information on Kawhi. The NBA already had the file. The Raptors trade stays on hold. Camp is still a month out.
Brandon McCoy Jr. Out for 2026-27 After Right ACL
Opening possession in Montenegro. Steal. Slip. Carried off. Boynton shut the freshman down Tuesday for the whole title-defense year.
After 3 Days of IVs, Jokic Still Logged 8 and 8
Very sick. Multiple IVs, including game day. Eight points, eight boards in Pesaro. Serbia 76, Italy 64. Group J is 6-2.
Kelsey Plum Out After 5 Mercury Games
Mercury shut her down for the rest of 2026. USA Basketball pulled A'ja Wilson too. Citron and Iriafen fill the 12. Berlin tips Sept. 4.
29 Double-Doubles: Angel Reese Breaks the WNBA Record
Fifteen and eleven. Alyssa Thomas's 28 from 2023 is second. Dream 89, Lynx 81. Last game before the World Cup break.
Angel Reese Stays at 7 Technicals After the 8th Came Off
The league pulled Friday's tech. $1,500 and a one-game sit vs the No. 1 Lynx are off. Last game before the World Cup break.
Caitlin Clark's Second Straight 30 and 10
Thirty-four and twelve after 37 and ten. Mitchell matched her with 34. First back-to-back 30/10 in WNBA history, last Fever tape before the World Cup break.
How Minnesota Cleared $14.7 Million for Kuminga
Josh Green and cash to Utah. Cody Williams and John Konchar the other way. Stretch deadline is Saturday. The $14.7 million seat is what finishes the Kuminga deal.
Kyle Lowry's No. 7 Goes Up Jan. 10
Toronto announced Thursday. Postgame at Scotiabank Arena vs. Philadelphia. Second retired number in franchise history, after Vince Carter's 15.
After the Mercury Buyout, DeWanna Bonner Signed $116,000 With the Dream
Atlanta announced Thursday. Prorated max for the rest of 2026 and the playoffs. 17th season. Next to Reese.
Is Six Months the Real Clock on Jordan Miller's Shoulder?
Shams said torn left rotator cuff. Six months. They just paid him $15.3 million to be a rotation wing.
Why Are the Heat Predicted to Trade Andrew Wiggins for Kyrie Irving?
Watch Wiggins on the wing. The mock wants Kyrie in that space. Dallas has said no all summer.
Why Did Bennedict Mathurin Take $16 Million and a Player Option in New Orleans?
Two years. Sixteen million. Year two is his call. Indiana drafted the bucket. New Orleans bought the create button next to Zion and Murphy.
What Paige Bueckers' 22 and 11 Mean Now That the Wings Are In
A 96-78 at a sold-out College Park Center, the last ticket, and a seed that is still live.
Did Angel Reese Just Break the WNBA Rebound Record Twice in One Night?
26 boards, past Holdsclaw’s 24 from 2003. 458 on the season, past A’ja’s 451. Dream 78, Sparks 71.
Can RJ Luis Jr. Play for LSU After Signing With Two NBA Teams?
A Louisiana judge said he never actually played pro ball. Jazz. Celtics. Never a regular-season game. Now Baton Rouge.
Is Six Months the Real Clock on Shaedon Sharpe's Meniscus?
Shams said torn meniscus. Six months. The first step is what a 20-point season was built on.
What 8/24 Still Means on Mamba Day
Vanessa’s line, the Lakers’ three words, and the numbers that still hang after a 48th birthday.
Luka Summer Loko Is Not a New Person
The lean look and the white headband show up every August. The room changed. The movie did not.
Can Olivia Miles Make Voters Rethink MVP?
A’ja Wilson is the favorite. The case for Miles is the one Parker already proved is possible.
They Built the Poster. Count the Minutes.
Philadelphia assembled a picture. The photograph that exists is not the one the city was sold.