Titans

Kevin Durant joined an exclusive list of NBA legends on Saturday night as he became one of 8 players to score 29,000 total career points or more, in the Phoenix Suns&rsquo; 114-102 win over the Dallas Mavericks.
The Suns&rsquo; superstar reached the mark in the 4th quarter of the game off a pass from Tyus Jones for a pull-up transition three.
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Kevin Durant surpasses 29,000 career points with this 3, becoming just the 8th player in NBA history to reach the mark! 👏 <a href="https://t.co/e6qT9O0Wo2">pic.twitter.com/e6qT9O0Wo2</a>
&mdash; NBA (@NBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1850391347099783662?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 27, 2024</a>
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Durant, in turn, is now in elite company together with LeBron James, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Karl Malone, Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, Dirk Nowitzki, and Wilt Chamberlain.
Durant, a 14-time NBA All-Star, now has a total of 29,010 points after tallying 31 markers against the Mavericks. He has a career scoring average of 27.3 points per game in 1,064 games played over his 17-year NBA career.
&ldquo;I&rsquo;ve got to give credit to the people who have helped me since I was a kid,&rdquo; Durant said post-game about the accomplishment. &ldquo;Teammates who passed me the ball, set screens for me, coaches who drew up plays for me. I&rsquo;m glad to be able to do this in front of these guys and this crowd, but I have more to do.&rdquo;
Durant is now 10th on the all-time NBA scoring list, and with the way he&rsquo;s still scoring the ball, he will likely climb up more ladders in the scoring history list for the remainder of his career.
Other than Durant, LeBron James continued racking up NBA history by having his 8th triple-double after being 35 years or older when racked up 32 points, 14 rebounds, and 10 assists in the Lakers&rsquo; 131-127 win over the Kings.
LeBron at one time had 14 straight for the Lakers in the 4th quarter, and scored 16 overall as he led LA&rsquo;s comeback from down 10 late in the 3rd quarter.&nbsp;
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A vintage LeBron game in the <a href="https://twitter.com/Lakers?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Lakers</a> 3rd straight win: 👑 32 PTS (16 in 4th) 👑 14 REB 👑 10 AST 👑 4 3PM 👑 12-22 FGM <a href="https://t.co/kDAuPZ274b">pic.twitter.com/kDAuPZ274b</a>
&mdash; NBA (@NBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1850409431126716669?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 27, 2024</a></blockquote>

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Even at their age, KD and LeBron are at the peak of their games with each and every stellar outing they produce night after night.

Kevin Durant joined an exclusive list of NBA legends on Saturday night as he became one of 8 players to score 29,000 points.

Kevin Durant becomes 8th player in NBA history to score 29,000 points or more

With the 2024-25 NBA season just days away, the Western Conference is locked, loaded, and ready for battle. The offseason drama has settled, rosters are finalized, and every team is gearing up for what promises to be a fierce and competitive race. From reigning contenders to rising underdogs, the West is stacked with talent and ambition. Let&rsquo;s break down the top 15 teams in the West as we head into this thrilling new season&mdash;no frills, just what you need to know.
<ol>
<li> Minnesota Timberwolves The Timberwolves are turning a new page after trading away longtime cornerstone Karl-Anthony Towns for Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo and are now fully embracing Anthony Edwards as the franchise cornerstone. The T-Wolves&rsquo; mix of young talent and veteran leadership gives them a balanced roster around Edwards. Rudy Gobert remains a defensive anchor as a 4-time DPOY, Edwards is primed for a superstar leap, and if the supporting cast, including Jaden McDaniels and Naz Reid, steps up, the Wolves could be ready to take the top spot in the West.</li>
<li> Oklahoma City Thunder The Thunder&rsquo;s rebuild is no longer a long-term project; they&rsquo;re ready to compete now. However, due to Isaiah Hartenstein&rsquo;s injury to start the season, we&rsquo;re placing the Thunder at no.2 for now. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is already an All-NBA guard and arguably a top 5 player in the league. Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams figure out to be the dynamic inside-out duo around SGA. Add in Hartenstein and Alex Caruso, the two new acquisitions this offseason with their capable role players Lu Dort, Cason Wallace, Aaron Wiggins, and Isaiah Joe, this young core is as versatile as it is exciting. OKC&rsquo;s depth and versatility on both ends of the floor could propel them into serious title contention.</li>
<li> Phoenix Suns The Suns have loaded up for a title run, and with Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal leading the charge, Phoenix has one of the most dangerous offensive trios in the league. They have added their most significant hole which is the PG spot with a solid pick up in Tyus Jones, and they have one of the best offensive coaches in the league in Mike Budenholzer. The Suns&rsquo; questions lie in their depth and health, but if they can manage those concerns, they&rsquo;re built for a championship push. Their offensive firepower is unmatched, and if they click, the Suns will be a team no one wants to face.</li>
<li> Memphis Grizzlies Memphis has weathered their offseason storms and enters the season with a gritty identity intact. Ja Morant is back after his injury and suspension last year and he will now play with last season&rsquo;s addition Marcus Smart. Together with the continued growth of Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane, the Grizzlies are primed to be competitive and come back from their prime two seasons ago where they won 50+ games. Memphis&rsquo; defensive dominance paired with offensive firepower ensures they can be one of the top teams in the West with a deep bench with solid role players.</li>
<li> Denver Nuggets After falling short to Minnesota in 7 games last playoffs, the Nuggets will enter the season with their core mostly intact. Nikola Jokić remains the most dominant center and the best player in the game. With Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. healthy, the Nuggets are poised for another deep run. But perhaps their biggest loss this season was losing Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to free agency and that might be a hit so they&rsquo;re currently ranked at no.5 to start the year. It could be a lot to ask for young players like Christian Braun or Julian Strawther to fill the void left by KCP, so it will be interesting to see how Denver handles his loss this season.</li>
<li> Dallas Mavericks Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving experiment is back after a successful season last year, where Dallas entered the NBA Finals for the first time since 2011 &ndash; when they won the title. The two stars can mesh to create one of the league&rsquo;s most potent offenses and with the continued internal development of young players like Dereck Lively, the Mavs can build on that Finals appearance. With newcomer Klay Thompson set to provide historic spacing for their dynamic duo, Dallas has the talent to climb the standings and challenge the top teams in the West.</li>
<li> New Orleans Pelicans The Pelicans&rsquo; fate will always hinge on Zion Williamson&rsquo;s health. When Zion plays, New Orleans is a force to be reckoned with. Now paired with newly-acquired point guard Dejounte Murray, they have a balanced attack capable of competing with any team in the conference with Brandon Ingram and CJ McCollum still on the fold. If Zion stays on the floor, the Pelicans could find themselves rising up the ranks, but his availability remains the biggest X-factor.</li>
<li> Golden State Warriors The Warriors are clinging to their championship window with Stephen Curry still playing at an elite level. The addition of capable veterans in Kyle Anderson, Buddy Hield, and DeAnthony Melton gives them depth and personnel that can play in their offense to surround the core of Curry and Draymond Green for their foundation. Health and age are concerns, but if their veterans stay intact, Golden State can&rsquo;t be counted out.</li>
<li> Sacramento Kings The Kings struggled a bit last season after making their long-awaited playoff return two seasons ago, and they&rsquo;re looking to build on that momentum. They have signed DeMar DeRozan and he should bring a new wrinkle to their motion and three-hunting offense. DeRozan&rsquo;s mid range ability should be a welcome addition to Sacramento&rsquo;s offense. De&rsquo;Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis still lead an explosive offense, but defense remains a question mark. Sacramento&rsquo;s high-flying, fast-paced style makes them a regular-season juggernaut, but they&rsquo;ll need to tighten up defensively if they want to make a deep playoff run.</li>
<li> Los Angeles Lakers The Lakers are counting on LeBron James and Anthony Davis staying healthy for a full season. With the front office standing pat on making moves this offseason, the Lakers&rsquo; success will hinge on their superstar duo. If LeBron and AD can avoid injury, Los Angeles will be a formidable playoff team, but health is always a looming concern with this group.</li>
<li> Houston Rockets The Rockets added veterans Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks to guide their young core last season and this season could be the time for them to step up. They finished strong last year behind defensive minded coach Ime Udoka and the result could be a team that surprises many. Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun have star potential, and younger players Jabari Smith Jr. and Amen Thompson add even more excitement. The Rockets also drafted Reed Sheppard with the 3rd pick and Houston is hoping to lay the foundation for success and could push for a Play-In spot this season.</li>
<li> San Antonio Spurs Victor Wembanyama enters his second season, and the Spurs are fully embracing their rebuild around the budding star. While Wembanyama showed flashes of brilliance as a rookie, San Antonio is still in the development phase. But with the addition of Chris Paul, the Spurs now have a capable PG to feed Wemby and the other guys, possibly unlocking a new level to their games. With their young core, the Spurs may not be a playoff team yet, but their future looks incredibly bright with Wembanyama leading the way.</li>
<li> Los Angeles Clippers The Clippers&rsquo; fortunes rest on the health of Kawhi Leonard&mdash;again. After losing Paul George for nothing, Leonard is left to fend LA off by himself in their new arena at Intuit Dome. Gone are the days when LA has the talent to compete with anyone as they&rsquo;re just but a shell of themselves. Leading the way for the injured Leonard will be a 34-year-old James Harden and that might be too much to ask of the aging superstar. However, if Kawhi can return healthy and he can avoid the injury bug, the Clippers will be in the playoff mix, but that&rsquo;s a big &ldquo;if&rdquo; for this squad.</li>
<li> Portland Trail Blazers With Damian Lillard long gone, the Blazers will fully commit another season to their rebuild. Scoot Henderson, Anfernee Simons, and Shaedon Sharpe form a promising young core, but Portland will likely spend this season focusing on player development. While they won&rsquo;t be in playoff contention, the Blazers are positioning themselves well for the future, with an eye on growth and improvement.</li>
<li> Utah Jazz The Jazz are continuing their rebuild, with Lauri Markkanen emerging as a cornerstone player. While they have some intriguing young pieces like Taylor Hendricks and Keyonte George, Utah isn&rsquo;t ready to compete just yet. This season will be about development and finding which young players can be part of their long-term plans. The Jazz may not win many games this year, but they&rsquo;re building toward a brighter future.</li>
</ol>

Let’s break down the top 15 teams in the West as we head into this thrilling new season.

2024-2025 NBA Western Conference Power Rankings: A race at the top to start the year

After five previous tries, the New York Liberty have finally climbed the mountaintop of the WNBA.
New York outlasted the Minnesota Lynx 67-62 Sunday night at the Barclays Center to claim the 2024 WNBA championship &ndash; the first in franchise history.&nbsp;
The Liberty have made WNBA Finals appearances in 1997, 1999, 2000, 2002, and most recently a season ago in 2023, but they have come up short each time around.
This was 28 years in the making as one of the WNBA&rsquo;s original franchises since its inception, finally winning a league title.
Minnesota struck first early in the 1st quarter, building a 10-point lead after the Liberty&rsquo;s cold shooting in the quarter. New York tried to make a run in the second quarter but was still down by 7 at the half.
It was a nip-and-tuck affair in the second half from there as both teams showed their grit and determination to win it all. The series was one of the best in WNBA Finals history with two overtime games over the 5 games played, and Game 5 was one of them.
Minnesota had a chance to win the game in regulation but Kayla McBride missed her game-winning three-point attempt at the buzzer with the score tied at 60.
New York capitalized on Minnesota&rsquo;s turnovers and their bench scoring in overtime to come away with the victory.
Sabrina Ionescu, who was the hero in Game 3 after that heart-stopping game winning three, struggled mightily from the field in the game with only 5 points on a brutal 1-19 shooting. Ionescu tried to affect the game in other ways though with 7 rebounds and 8 assists, making crucial passes and hustle plays in the 4th quarter and overtime.
To pick up her slack, Breanna Stewart had 13 points and 15 rebounds while rookie Leonie Fiebich had 13 including hitting a crucial three in OT.&nbsp;
Jonquel Jones was named Finals MVP for her incredible series and her 17 points (led the team) and 6 rebounds proved to be essential for the Liberty.
New York would not have won the game if it weren&rsquo;t for the efforts of Nyara Sabally, who scored 13 points and grabbed 7 rebounds. Sabally was not playing that many minutes in the series but when her number was called in this game she delivered, providing energy off the bench and toughness on defense.
Napheesa Collier and Kayla McBride led Minnesota&rsquo;s losing effort with 22 and 21 points respectively but it was not enough for Minnesota to break the tie for most championships in WNBA history.

After five previous tries, the New York Liberty have finally climbed the mountaintop of the WNBA.

CHAMPS AT LAST: Liberty outlast Lynx to win 2024 WNBA Finals

In the NBA, every season tells a new story. While some players soar, others face setbacks&mdash;whether it's injuries, poor performance, or unfortunate circumstances that leave them struggling to make an impact. But basketball is also a game of redemption, and with every new season comes a chance for a comeback. This year, several NBA players who faced adversity last season or from the past few years are determined to remind the league of their talent and value. As the stage is set for the 2024 season, these players are primed for a revenge season as they are eager to bounce back and prove they still belong among the NBA's elite. Let&rsquo;s break down who these players are and why they&rsquo;re poised for a resurgence.
Lonzo Ball, Guard, Chicago Bulls
Out for the entirety of two and a half seasons or about three years worth of basketball with a knee injury, Ball&rsquo;s absence was sorely felt by the Bulls. The two-way playmaker had been evolving into an elite perimeter defender and three-point shooter before the setback. If healthy, he has the skills to transform the Bulls' fortunes as they try to contend again. They recently acquired young guard Josh Giddey and now the Bulls will have Ball&rsquo;s services back again. His ability to initiate the fast break and command the offense could be vital for a Bulls team hungry for playoff success.
Ben Simmons, Guard/Forward, Brooklyn Nets
Ben Simmons&rsquo; struggles have been highly publicized. Once regarded as an All-Star, his decline, marred by back injuries and confidence issues, has been drastic. But with a new season comes a chance for redemption. In Brooklyn, without the weight of high expectations and with a roster that&rsquo;s more role-player-centric, Simmons could thrive by doing what he does best: defense, playmaking, and transition offense. A rejuvenated Simmons can be a critical asset to the Nets&rsquo; success. It remains to be seen if Simmons can come back from the level he used to play at Philadelphia &ndash; using his uncanny combination of size and speed to terrorize opponents in transition &ndash; but being healthy is the first step of Simmons to show the world again what he is capable of.
Jordan Poole, Guard, Washington Wizards
After a breakout season in Golden State that culminated in a championship, Poole's form dipped over the last two years due to locker room tensions and inconsistency. Now with entering his second full season with the Wizards, Poole will have more freedom to dominate the ball and score now that Tyus Jones signed with the Suns. Poole will now be the Wizards&rsquo; lead guard and main playmaker and he&rsquo;s in a prime position to elevate his game as Washington&rsquo;s primary scoring option. This could lead to career-best numbers and renewed confidence for Poole as he aims to remind everyone of his career resurgence.
Gabe Vincent, Guard, Los Angeles Lakers
After coming off basically an off year last year with the Lakers following a lingering injury on his leg/knee, Gabe Vincent&rsquo;s journey is one of perseverance. Now in his second season with Los Angeles after signing that free agent contract last year, Vincent has an opportunity to shine on a larger stage and be a role player that could help LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Vincent is known for his shooting and tough defense and he can provide valuable backcourt depth alongside established stars. If he continues to grow and adapt to his new role, he could be a pivotal piece for the Lakers in their title aspirations.
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Which player do you think will bounce back and have a revenge season? 🤔 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBA?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBA</a> <a href="https://t.co/HHA92LNyJ0">pic.twitter.com/HHA92LNyJ0</a>
&mdash; BasketballNews.com (@basketbllnews) <a href="https://twitter.com/basketbllnews/status/1845849068238745680?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 14, 2024</a></blockquote>

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These players are primed for a revenge season as they are eager to bounce back and prove they still belong among the NBA's elite.

NBA Players Poised for a Comeback: Who Will Shine in 2024?

The Minnesota Lynx survived yet again another tough challenge from the New York Liberty and won, 80-77, in Game 4 of the 2024 WNBA Finals to force a winner-take-all Game 5.&nbsp;
With their season on the line, all Minnesota starters scored in double digits in a complete team effort. Kayla McBride led all scorers with 19 points, Courtney Williams had 15, while Bridget Carleton and Alanna Smith both had 12 markers. Defensive Player of the Year Napheesa Collier once again played all 40 minutes available and finished with 14 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists.&nbsp;
Carleton made the biggest play of the game by hitting two free throws with two seconds left and the Lynx forced the stop on the next possession against another potential game-winning three point attempt by Sabrina Ionescu at the buzzer. Ionescu broke the hearts of Minnesota fans in Game 3 after she hit a tough side-stepping three from 30 ft to steal the game on the road.&nbsp;
The Lynx won the game by forcing Liberty superstars Breanna Stewart and Ionescu to tough shooting nights. Stewart only had 11 points on 5-20 shooting after a 30-10 game in Game 3 while Ionescu was 5-16 from the floor, scoring only 10 points.&nbsp;
The two teams will meet again for the final time on Sunday night in New York to claim the 2024 title.
Minnesota will have a chance to be the winningest franchise in WNBA history by winning their 5th title to break their tie with the Houston Comets and the Seattle Storm. The Lynx reached the Finals for the first time since 2017, when they won the last of four championships in seven years.&nbsp;
New York, on the other hand, is looking for their first-ever WNBA title after having lost five times in previous seasons. This is their second straight Finals appearance after having lost to the Las Vegas Aces last year in 4 games.

The Minnesota Lynx survived the New York Liberty, 80-77, in Game 4 of the 2024 WNBA Finals to force a winner-take-all Game 5.

Lynx stave off Liberty to force winner-take-all Game 5 in 2024 WNBA Finals

Sabrina Ionescu channeled her inner &lsquo;mamba mentality&rsquo; to wrestle away Game 3 of the 2024 WNBA Finals from the hands of the Minnesota Lynx, 80-77, on Wednesday night at the Target Center.&nbsp;
With just under 15 seconds left in the game, Ionescu pulled up from 30 feet to drain a tough stepback three point shot to give the New York Liberty the improbable win on the road. The Liberty went up 2-1 in their series against the Lynx, winning back-to-back games after losing Game 1 in New York.&nbsp;
Ionescu finished with 13 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists with two huge threes coming in the dying minutes of the 4th quarter. The recently-minted All-WNBA second teamer scored the final 6 points for the Liberty, hitting on a separate three to put New York up by 4 before her incredible game winner.&nbsp;
Minnesota tied the ball game at 77-all after Bridget Carleton&rsquo;s tough layup and Napheesa Collier&rsquo;s two free throws and it set up Ionescu&rsquo;s game winner at the top of the key.
Breanna Stewart led the Liberty with a monster game of her own, racking up 30 points and 11 rebounds as New York moved one win away from the 2024 WNBA title.
Collier led the Lynx with 20 points and 9 rebounds as she played all 40 minutes in the game. Game 4 will still be at Minnesota on Friday night.

Sabrina Ionescu channeled her inner ‘mamba mentality’ to wrestle away Game 3 of the 2024 WNBA Finals from the Minnesota Lynx.

Sabrina Ionescu shoots down Lynx to bring Liberty to one win away from WNBA title

The New York Liberty were not to be denied this time around.&nbsp;
Behind a spirited effort from its starters, the Liberty bounced back from a horrible loss in Game 1 and blew out the Minnesota Lynx, 80-66, winning Game 2 of the 2024 WNBA Finals and tying the series at 1-1.&nbsp;
It was not easy however, with the Lynx making the Liberty work for the win by applying pressure all game long. Minnesota cut the lead to as little as 2, 64-66, via Napheesa Collier&rsquo;s layup.&nbsp;
That was the closest Minnesota would come though as New York went on a 14-2 run late for the game&rsquo;s final spread.&nbsp;
Breanna Stewart led the way with 21 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists while Betnijah Laney-Hamilton added 20 points as the Liberty avoided yet another comeback by the Lynx. Minnesota forced overtime and went on to win Game 1 after a furious run in the 4th quarter.
Sabrina Ionescu bounced back with an efficient shooting night at 5-9 to finish with 15 points while Jonquel Jones had 14 points and 9 boards as the series shifts to Minnesota for Game 3 on Wednesday night.
Courtney Williams, the hero for the Lynx in Game 1, scored 15 points and dished out 8 assists and Collier added 16 points and 8 rebounds in Minnesota&rsquo;s losing effort.

Behind a spirited effort from its starters, the Liberty bounced back from a horrible loss in Game 1 and blew out the Minnesota Lynx.

Liberty get back at Lynx, tie 2024 WNBA Finals

The Minnesota Lynx have stolen Game 1 vs the New York Liberty after a cardiac comeback win in overtime, 95-93, to draw first blood in the 2024 WNBA Finals.
After a dominant first half from New York, Minnesota stormed back behind a huge scoring surge in the 4th quarter to take the lead in the dying seconds of the game.
The Liberty led by 15 with 5 minutes left in the game before the Lynx unleashed their furious run. It was led by Courtney Williams, who sank back-to-back threes with under 2 minutes to go. One of them was a four-point play as Williams got fouled by Sabrina Ionescu to give Minnesota the go-ahead lead late.
Breanna Stewart had a chance to win it for the Liberty in regulation but she missed the free throw that could&rsquo;ve given New York the lead and the win, sending the game into OT.
In overtime, 2024 WNBA Defensive Player of the Year Napheesa Collier showed her wares that she&rsquo;s not just a defensive player when she gave the Lynx the final lead for the final tally on a tough fadeaway jumper.
Stewart had a chance again to send the game to a 2nd overtime but she missed a point-blank layup at the buzzer.
Collier finished with 21 points on 10-16 shooting with 8 rebounds and 4 assists to lead Minnesota&rsquo;s comeback. Williams chipped in 23 points as the team&rsquo;s leading scorer while Kayla McBride added 22 markers.
Stewart and Ionescu, New York&rsquo;s two superstars, scored 18 and 19 points respectively but struggled from the field overall (6-21 and 8-26) as the Liberty lost home court advantage following Game 1&rsquo;s loss. Jonquel Jones spearheaded the Liberty with 24 points and 10 rebounds but it was not enough to stop the Lynx&rsquo;s comeback.
Game 2 will still be at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY on Monday, October 14 at 3:00 p.m.

Minnesota have stolen Game 1 vs New York after a cardiac comeback win in overtime, 95-93, in the 2024 WNBA Finals.

Lynx strike first in 2024 WNBA Finals after after thrilling comeback win

The New York Liberty and the Minnesota Lynx have set up a grand finale clash in the WNBA Finals after beating their respective opponents in the semifinals.&nbsp;
The Lynx ousted the Connecticut Sun, 88-77, in Game 5 of their best-of-5 series at home in Target Center. Napheesa Collier, the 2024 WNBA Defensive Player of the Year and a member of the All-WNBA First Team, had 27 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 blocks in an all-around performance. Collier went 10-16 from the field in an efficient performance while Courtney Williams added 24 points.&nbsp;
On the other hand, the Liberty finished off the defending champions Las Vegas Aces in just four games, winning 76-62 in Game 4. Sabrina Ionescu was brilliant for New York in their WNBA Finals 2023 rematch with 22 points while Breanna Stewart had 19 points and 14 rebounds as the Liberty effectively ended the Aces&rsquo; bid for a three-peat this season.&nbsp;
The Liberty-Lynx Finals matchup immediately starts Friday night in New York for Game 1 and continues to Game 2 and then the series shifts over to Minnesota for Games 3 and 4. If necessary, Game 5 will be played back in New York.&nbsp;
In their season series, the Lynx own a 3-1 advantage over the Liberty, including their Commissioner&rsquo;s Cup title win midseason. Minnesota finished second in the standings behind just New York by just two games.&nbsp;

The Liberty and the Lynx have set up a grand finale clash in the WNBA Finals after beating their respective opponents.

Liberty-Lynx set for WNBA Finals clash

The NBA is back.&nbsp;
With the league&rsquo;s annual &lsquo;Day&rsquo; 1 getting underway, all 30 teams have resumed their daily basketball activities. Starting from the Media Day to each of their training camps, players are slowly ramping up as they work to get back in game shape.
For some of these familiar faces, however, a new season awaits them as they&rsquo;re looking for a fresh start in new environments and places. Let&rsquo;s take a look at these players and their potential fits next to their new teams and teammates.&nbsp;
Russell Westbrook rocks new threads with Denver&nbsp;
Russell Westbrook starts a new season with the 2023 champions after his stint with the Clippers. Westbrook aims to bring the energy to a Nuggets squad losing another championship piece in Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. He slots in immediately as Denver&rsquo;s backup PG with the loss of Reggie Jackson, and the team could also use him to play with the starters and let Jamal Murray slide into the 2 spot. Westbrook will also be teaming up with fellow triple-double savant Nikola Jokic and it will be interesting to see two high-IQ players together on the court.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
New beginnings for <a href="https://twitter.com/russwest44?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@russwest44</a> 😈<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBAMediaDay?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBAMediaDay</a> x <a href="https://twitter.com/nuggets?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nuggets</a> <a href="https://t.co/Wew6JRNNXm">pic.twitter.com/Wew6JRNNXm</a>
&mdash; NBA (@NBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1839352986826387752?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 26, 2024</a></blockquote>

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PG13 creates a big three with Embiid and Maxey
Perhaps the biggest signing in the offseason, George immediately slides in with the Sixers to form a big three with Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. At 34 years old, PG probably has a good 3 years left in his prime, but he could be in a perfect situation with Embiid and Maxey at their absolute peaks. George is in a position where he&rsquo;s not asked to shoulder much of the offensive load like he did most of the time in his career, and he can play to his strengths &mdash; a two-play wing player with some playmaking chops and be a secondary creator and scorer to Maxey and Embiid. George is also a very good three-point shooter on spot-up and catch-and-shoot attempts and should bode well for both Sixers superstars by spacing the floor for them. Overall an A+ signing by Sixers GM Daryl Morey, and now it all hinges on health as Philly tries to pull it up all together to finally make a Conference Finals in the Embiid era.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
PG in Philly! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBAMediaDay?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBAMediaDay</a> <a href="https://t.co/jmSInGKf5L">pic.twitter.com/jmSInGKf5L</a>
&mdash; NBA (@NBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1840916610644582775?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 1, 2024</a></blockquote>

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A new Philadelphia trio... 🔥 Maxey. Embiid. George.<a href="https://twitter.com/sixers?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@sixers</a> x <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBAMediaDay?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBAMediaDay</a> <a href="https://t.co/wjlclZdnhx">pic.twitter.com/wjlclZdnhx</a>
&mdash; NBA (@NBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1840803293473230955?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 30, 2024</a></blockquote>

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CP3 in San Antonio as Wemby&rsquo;s PG; Harrison Barnes being a veteran piece in a young Spurs team
Victor Wembanyama finally gets his premier PG in Chris Paul. After playing most of last year not having a legitimate table setter, Wemby, and the Spurs add one of the greatest to ever do it at the position. Even approaching 40 years old, Paul should have a lot left in his tank to try and develop as much as possible the young yet hungry Spurs. On the other hand, Barnes adds another veteran piece as San Antonio looks to improve and at least make the play-in this season.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
WEMBY x CP3 🔥 BIG smiles in San Antonio at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBAMediaDay?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBAMediaDay</a> 😇 <a href="https://t.co/PbV71PCH0c">pic.twitter.com/PbV71PCH0c</a>
&mdash; NBA (@NBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1840815076485259469?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 30, 2024</a></blockquote>

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Wemby &amp; CP3 enjoying <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBAMediaDay?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBAMediaDay</a> 🤩 <a href="https://t.co/rSdwmMIx1m">pic.twitter.com/rSdwmMIx1m</a>
&mdash; NBA (@NBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1840801831577895224?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 30, 2024</a></blockquote>

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Caruso, Hartenstein add more defensive toughness to an already elite OKC squad
Imagine having to add two role players that star in their role to a team that just finished atop the conference a season ago, all without losing someone significant from that core. That&rsquo;s exactly what the Oklahoma City Thunder did by adding Alex Caruso and Isaiah Hartenstein into their fold. The move stamped their status even further atop the West with rising stars Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren getting better over the year and still having MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander just starting his prime. Caruso adds yet another defensive bull on the perimeter that already features fellow All-Defensive player Lu Dort, while Hartenstein brings versatility in the frontcourt to possibly play together with Holmgren. The Thunder are poised yet again to make a deep playoff run and it all starts with their offseason acquisitions and their fit into the team.&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Alex Caruso very complimentary of his new backcourt mate, SGA! 🤞<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBAMediaDay?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBAMediaDay</a> <a href="https://t.co/Rdxt7r5dQu">pic.twitter.com/Rdxt7r5dQu</a>
&mdash; NBA (@NBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1840867849797022103?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 30, 2024</a></blockquote>

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Klay splashing and spacing the floor for Luka, Mavs
The other Splash brother brings his act to Dallas after spending his first 13 years with the franchise. Thompson immediately fills a need in Dallas to help space the floor and be a decoy for Luka Doncic as he makes plays on the court. At his age, Thompson won&rsquo;t be asked too much like he did in Golden State and this could be a rejuvenation for his career as he finds a new environment with the Mavericks.&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
No. 31 from the Dallas Mavericks... Klay Thompson 🔥🔥🔥 <a href="https://t.co/e4M8lNtvQL">pic.twitter.com/e4M8lNtvQL</a>
&mdash; NBA (@NBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1840858008794120481?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 30, 2024</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Klay Thompson... NEW BEGINNINGS 🫵<a href="https://twitter.com/dallasmavs?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@dallasmavs</a> x <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBAMediaDay?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBAMediaDay</a> <a href="https://t.co/YX9CX1preR">pic.twitter.com/YX9CX1preR</a>
&mdash; NBA (@NBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1840806814956265762?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 30, 2024</a></blockquote>

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DeMar DeRozan as the final piece to Sacramento&rsquo;s playoff success
DeRozan comes into the Kings&rsquo; lair as one of the most clutch players in the league, and he will play alongside a player of the same caliber in DeAaron Fox. It will be interesting to see how DeRozan&rsquo;s playstyle fits into the Kings&rsquo; offense with their motion offense built on three-point shooting with Domantas Sabonis as the hub, and it will be a good problem how coach Mike Brown integrates him to play a certain kind of way. The Kings are one of the up-and-coming teams in the West and adding a player like DeRozan gives them a different dimension to their offense.&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
DeMar DeRozan looking good in his new threads 😎<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBAMediaDay?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBAMediaDay</a> <a href="https://t.co/uPYTeKvUBE">pic.twitter.com/uPYTeKvUBE</a>
&mdash; NBA (@NBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1841107569399480506?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 1, 2024</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
New trio in Sacramento 👑<a href="https://twitter.com/SacramentoKings?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SacramentoKings</a> x <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBAMediaDay?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBAMediaDay</a> <a href="https://t.co/HfnZMmz317">pic.twitter.com/HfnZMmz317</a>
&mdash; NBA (@NBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1841108008769630523?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 1, 2024</a></blockquote>

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Dejounte Murray, Tyus Jones to solve PG issues in NOLA, PHX
Two teams that have had PG issues last season have finally addressed it by signing two of the quality PGs in the league today: Murray to the Pelicans and Jones to the Suns. Murray slots in as the Pelicans&rsquo; main shot creator, playmaker, and closer. This has been a significant hole for the Pelicans last season, especially in the playoffs when no one other than CJ McCollum (who&rsquo;s getting old) and Brandon Ingram create shots and make plays. Murray immediately comes in and fills this gap and with a returning Zion Williamson, the Pelicans are coming into the season very optimistic about their playoff chances.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Fresh start heading into Year 8 🤲<a href="https://twitter.com/DejounteMurray?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DejounteMurray</a> x <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBAMediaDay?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBAMediaDay</a> <a href="https://t.co/j3W5D0GFoM">pic.twitter.com/j3W5D0GFoM</a>
&mdash; NBA (@NBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1840852492168675766?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 30, 2024</a></blockquote>

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New threads for <a href="https://twitter.com/PelicansNBA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PelicansNBA</a> new PG 🔥<a href="https://twitter.com/DejounteMurray?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DejounteMurray</a> x <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBAMediaDay?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBAMediaDay</a> <a href="https://t.co/kgIxpGqxkG">pic.twitter.com/kgIxpGqxkG</a>
&mdash; NBA (@NBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1840807569150837091?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 30, 2024</a></blockquote>

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Jones on the other hand also fills the immediate need of a PG, someone who can make plays for others without turning the ball over. Jones has been one of the best if not the best assist-to-turnover ratio guys in the league, and with how Phoenix&rsquo;s roster is constructed, this allows their super scoring big three Bradley Beal, Devin Booker, and Kevin Durant to do their thing and focus on what they do best. Jones comes in to settle these guys down and put them in the best positions to succeed.&nbsp;
Buddy Hield, Kyle Anderson bring veteran savvy and immediate positional needs to Golden State
Some key veteran additions to the Warriors are Hield and Anderson as they continue to beef up their roster around superstar Stephen Curry. Hield will try to replace the production of Klay Thompson after his departure with his deadeye shooting and spacing the floor for Curry. Hield has also been a good off-ball mover and that should bode well for Golden State&rsquo;s offense. Anderson meanwhile, brings his big forward, almost a center playing style to the Warriors and should fit instantly like a Draymond Green clone. Anderson has the playmaking chops and the basketball IQ to seamlessly play in Kerr&rsquo;s system and is a player who seems to understand how to play with and off of the skillset of a player like Curry.&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Welcome to The Bay, Buddy! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBAMediaDay?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBAMediaDay</a> <a href="https://t.co/ruEDkg7ayU">pic.twitter.com/ruEDkg7ayU</a>
&mdash; NBA (@NBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1840924339090100682?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 1, 2024</a></blockquote>

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Prince-Trent-Wright trio come to Milwaukee to win
Taurean Prince, Gary Trent Jr., and Delon Wright have all signed up for a little under than what they were supposed to make and signed with the Bucks for a chance to contribute to a championship contender. All three are exactly what the Bucks need in their scheme of things as they&rsquo;re expected to bring shooting, spacing, and tough perimeter defenders. It&rsquo;s expected that Milwaukee&rsquo;s offense will revolve around superstars Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard so there will be little expectations on these guys to do more and they can just focus on what they do best as role players in the league.

A new season awaits familiar faces in new places. Let’s take a look at them and their potential fits next to their new teams and teammates.

Familiar faces in new places: NBA players’ new home to start the season

The New York Liberty and the Las Vegas Aces have set up their WNBA Finals rematch, albeit in a different setting, after sweeping their respective opponents Tuesday night in the 2024 WNBA Playoffs.
The Liberty ended their series matchup by defeating the Atlanta Dream in Game 2, 91-82, and swept the series. Sabrina Ionescu starred for New York as she delivered the best game of her young playoff career with 36 points and 9 assists.
Starting center Jonquel Jones had 20, while All-WNBA First Teamer Breanna Stewart added 13 for New York, who will now advance to the semifinals.
4th seed Las Vegas Aces continued their bid for a three-peat after also sweeping the Seatle Storm 2-0, winning Game 2, 83-76. MVP A&rsquo;Ja Wilson went at it for the Aces with 24 points and 13 rebounds while Kelsey Plum was in her vintage form with 29 points on an impressive 11-15 shooting from the field.
Both the Liberty and the Aces&rsquo; wins meant that the 2023 WNBA Finals rematch is set to happen, but in semifinals. New York finished with the top overall seed this year with a 32-8 record while Las Vegas, which dealt to injuries to their starters all season long, just finished 4th with 27 wins and 13 losses coming from their championship.&nbsp;
This allowed both 2023 WNBA finalists to end up on the same side of the bracket, and will renew their brewing rivalry when their best-of-three series starts.

The New York Liberty and the Las Vegas Aces have set up their WNBA Finals rematch after sweeping their respective opponents.

WNBA Playoffs 2024 Day 2 recap: Liberty, Aces setup rematch in WNBA semis

Patriotism prevails for Lebanese star Wael Arakji as Al Riyadi Beirut&rsquo;s journey continues in the FIBA Intercontinental Cup 2024 in Singapore.
First going up vs Spain&rsquo;s Unicaja filled with American and European imports, Al Riyadi lost by 37 points 59-96 in their opening match of the tournament and was outmatched talent-wise and height-wise.&nbsp;
Unicaja outplayed Al Riyadi on both ends of the floor, getting deflections, and made more than 50 percent of their shots from the field &ndash; and Arakji could not help but voice out his disappointment after the tough loss.&nbsp;
&ldquo;We had a pretty decent start, to be honest &ndash; pretty decent first half. They definitely have a deeper team. The rules of this tournament are already in their favor &ndash; they have more foreigners and they have mixed nationalities in their team.
The man awarded the &lsquo;best point guard in Asia&rsquo; put in some notable highlights throughout the game, scoring 11 points on 5/11 shooting, but it just wasn&rsquo;t enough against the European champions.
Despite losing big against the Spanish side, Arakji remained steadfast in his goal of playing and representing their country Lebanon with utmost pride across their chests.
&ldquo;Playing here (FIBA ICC) is way different for us [compared to these teams]. For us, we are playing for Lebanon &ndash; we&rsquo;re doing our best for our country.&rdquo;
&ldquo;Yeah there&rsquo;s a huge difference with the score but I&rsquo;m really happy and proud of our performance,&rdquo; Arakji said.
Al Riyadi quickly got down to work and displayed that pride when they produced a tough win in their second game against African reps Petro de Luanda from Angola, winning 80-75. Arakji was not able to contribute much after going scoreless in 6 minutes of action, but he&rsquo;ll take a win any day of the week over personal stats.
The Lebanese, who are the Asian representatives in the Intercontinental basketball meet, will now play tomorrow against Australia&rsquo;s Tasmania JackJumpers for a chance to secure the consolation third-place match.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Asia&rsquo;s best PG Wael Arakji of Al Riyadi Beirut sounds off after tough loss but insists team is &ldquo;playing for Lebanon&rdquo;: The Lebanese lost big vs Spain&rsquo;s Unicaja but bounced back vs Angola&rsquo;s Petro de Luanda to book their third-place bout vs Australia&rsquo;s Tasmania // <a href="https://twitter.com/basketbllnews?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@basketbllnews</a> <a href="https://t.co/idcYQYXKE4">pic.twitter.com/idcYQYXKE4</a>
&mdash; Mon Anthony Valmoria (@MorvalNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/MorvalNBA/status/1834976894464540875?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 14, 2024</a></blockquote>

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Patriotism prevails for Lebanese star Wael Arakji as Al Riyadi Beirut’s journey continues in the FIBA Intercontinental Cup 2024.

Al Riyadi’s Wael Arakji: “We’re doing our best for our country"

The success of men&rsquo;s basketball in the 2024 Olympics has opened the eyes of many fans to the fact that there are great teams and players across the planet. While Team USA swept to the <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/team-usa-defeat-hosts-france-to-claim-olympic-gold-medal">gold medal</a> with a win over France in the final, maybe you were impressed by some of the tournament&rsquo;s best non-NBA players and wondered whether they might end up in the American league.
<h2>Willy Hernangomez - Spain</h2>
&nbsp;
At 7-foot tall, this center is an imposing physical presence in the Spanish team. He broke through at Real Madrid and joined the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2015 NBA draft before being traded to the New York Knicks. His time playing at Madison Square Garden appeared to start well and was Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month early in his career as he led rebounding for newcomers to the league. He ended his first season in the NBA All-Rookie First Team.
Willy then bounced around a few American teams without realizing his obvious potential. In 2023, he signed a three-year deal with Spanish team FC Barcelona. He was recently reported to be dissatisfied with his role at Barcelona and will have been disappointed that the highly-rated Spanish team dropped out of the Olympics in the qualifying round. Will Willy return to the NBA at some point? After seven years in the American league, he stated that he was happy with the <a href="https://basketnews.com/news-197125-willy-hernangomez-havent-felt-this-much-support-in-all-my-years-in-nba.html">support he received</a> on his return to Spain, so it seems unlikely at the moment.&nbsp;
<h2>Bruno Caboclo - Brazil</h2>
This 28-year-old power forward from Brazil started his career with Pinheiros before joining the Toronto Raptors in the 2014 NBA draft. This selection is still best remembered for Fran Fraschilla saying that he was "two years away from being two years away" when reporting it. Bruno never quite made the breakthrough expected of him in the NBA and returned to Brazil, where he was more successful.
After moving around a few teams in different countries, he joined Partizan Belgrade of the Serbian League in 2023. He averaged 9.4 points over the 2023-24 season, which was ultimately unsuccessful for the team. Given his globe-trotting career to date, it would be easy to imagine Bruno being interested in a move back to the US, but the latest news reports suggest that he is <a href="https://www.nbamaniacs.com/en/nba-rumors/bruno-caboclo-receives-an-offer-from-israel/">considering an offer</a> from Israeli team Hapoel Tel Aviv. At the Olympics in Paris, his 33 points vs Japan was one of the top individual performances.
<h2>Wenyen Gabriel - South Sudan</h2>
Wenyen was born in Sudan but moved to the US as a youngster. His college basketball was played for the Kentucky Wildcats, and he was one of the country&rsquo;s most highly-ranked young players at one point. Despite this, he went undrafted in 2018 but then joined the Sacramento Kings to play in the Summer League. After briefly joining the Portland Trail Blazers, Wenyen moved to the New Orleans Pelicans followed by the Brooklyn Nets and other US teams.
He then went to Puerto Rico with the Vaqueros de Bayam&oacute;n and it was recently announced that he&rsquo;s signed for Maccabi Tel Aviv to play in the Euroleague and the Israeli Basketball Premier League. If you want to follow his career, you can now easily find online content for foreign basketball leagues and stream games. You might also want to check the current <a href="https://www.bodog.eu/sports/basketball">basketball odds</a> for leagues around the world. You&rsquo;ll see live betting odds as well as the numbers for upcoming games. Choose from options like moneyline, spread, and total bet when looking for games to bet on in the Euroleague and elsewhere.
<h2>Carlik Jones - South Sudan</h2>
Carlik was born in the US and grew up in Ohio, becoming one of the highest-rated college players while performing for the Radford Highlanders and then the Louisville Cardinals. He went undrafted in the 2021 NBA draft but then joined the Dallas Mavericks to play in the NBA Summer League. After moving around a few teams, he was named as the NBA G League&rsquo;s Most Valuable Player in 2022 while playing for the Chicago Bulls.&nbsp;
The point guard played in China and was rumored to be moving to Maccabi Tel Aviv this season but surprised everyone by signing for Partizan Mozzart Bet of the Serbian league instead. Carlik revealed after the World Cup that he had some offers from the NBA but that the move to Serbia felt right and that Partizan appears to be the ideal team for him. At 26 years old, he might still have time to move back to the American league in the future.
<h2>Summary</h2>
At the moment none of the non-NBA players who performed well in the 2024 Olympics seems set to join the American basketball league. Yet, some of them have already played here before heading abroad to try their luck elsewhere, so it wouldn&rsquo;t be a major surprise to see one or more players from this list reaching the NBA at some point. &nbsp;

The success of men’s basketball in the 2024 Olympics has opened the eyes of many fans that there are a lot of great teams and players.

Which Olympic Basketball Stars Could Join the NBA?

WNBA super rookies Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese wasted no time showing their wares in the WNBA&rsquo;s return to action after a month-long break from the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Indiana Fever&rsquo;s Clark, the no.1 overall selection in this year&rsquo;s draft, lit up Diana Taurasi and the Phoenix Mercury in their first game back in the WNBA. Clark had 29 points, 5 rebounds, and 11 assists in the win over Taurasi and Team USA teammates Brittney Griner and Kahleah Copper. Clark showed poise and renewed confidence as the Olympic break seemed to calm the super rookie&rsquo;s game down. Clark started her WNBA career on a whirlwind, going from the Final Four in the NCAA Tournament to being drafted in the league in three weeks, then starting the entire month with just over a month.&nbsp;&nbsp;
The transition seemed to have affected Clark&rsquo;s game to start, however she has gotten her groove. Clark followed up that performance against Phoenix with 23 points, 9 assists, 5 rebounds, and 3 blocks and made history in the process by breaking the WNBA record for most assists in a season by a rookie. Clark is now also the franchise record holder for most 3-pointers made by a rookie, a testament to the rookie&rsquo;s incredible season as a pro. Clark is starting to get into her groove now as she gets more and more comfortable in the league and that is bad news for the rest of the WNBA teams.
Angel Reese, Chicago Sky&rsquo;s no.7 pick, has continued her double-double rampage throughout the league. Since coming back from the Olympic break, Reese has delivered three straight double-doubles, putting up 11 and 15 against the Phoenix Mercury; 14 and 11 against the Los Angeles Sparks; and an almost 20-20 game vs the Mercury again with 19 points and 20 rebounds. Reese&rsquo;s relentless pursuit of the boards put her in special company in the league, making history in her own right by being the fastest player in WNBA history to reach 20 double-doubles in a single season. Reese&rsquo;s latest triple-double also marked a league-leading mark &ndash; an impressive one being a rookie in a league with premier players in A&rsquo;Ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart.&nbsp;
For Wilson and Stewart, Team USA&rsquo;s runaway best players in their 8th straight run to Olympic gold, they will now be back to their respective teams in the WNBA to lead another championship run. Wilson&rsquo;s Las Vegas Aces and Stewart&rsquo;s New York Liberty met in the 2023 WNBA Finals with Wilson and Las Vegas eventually coming out on top. This season, the two teams are one of the best in the league yet again and it figures out to be yet another race to the finish line among them. When the league resumed play, Stewart and New York recently got the better of the matchup with a tough 79-67 victory. Stewart had 18 points and 7 boards in the win, but she had a lot of help from her Liberty teammates with Sabrina Ionescu leading the way with 23 points.
Despite the Aces&rsquo; rocky season than expected coming off a WNBA championship, Wilson continues to dominate the league by further establishing her status as the best player in women&rsquo;s basketball. She recently had a staggering 34 points, 13 rebounds, 5 steals, and 2 blocks on 12-20 FG and 10-11 FT to lead the Aces to another win and bring their record to 17-9, good for 4th overall in the league.
A lot of action is still yet to unfold in the WNBA with more and more stars and good basketball to be played, so stay tuned as the race to the end gets more intense.

WNBA super rookies Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese wasted no time showing their wares in the WNBA’s return to action.

Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese light up the WNBA after Olympic break

With just one spot left in the quarterfinals, Serbia and South Sudan played a game down to the wire. In the end, however, it was Serbia who came out on top to beat South Sudan in Group C of the Paris 2024 Olympics, 96-85, at the Pierre de Mauroy Stadium in Lille, France.&nbsp;
After Brazil clinched their quarterfinal spot by beating Japan, South Sudan needed a win to book their slot and deny Greece in the process. However, Nikola Jokic, Bogdan Bogdanovic, and Serbia had other plans in mind.&nbsp;
The NBA duo of Jokic and Bogdanovic shined when it mattered the most for Serbia. Bogdanovic top-scored for the Serbians with 30 big points, on an efficient 10/14 shooting game, knocking in 6 threes. Jokic had yet another double-double performance with 22 points and 13 rebounds as Serbia shot an absurd 60% from the field.
Despite the loss, South Sudan fought and had plenty to be proud of. They won their first Olympic game in their history and put up strong performances against basketball juggernauts USA and Serbia. The SSD basketball federation has come a long way with its journey led by former NBA player Luol Deng, and this program figures to be ascending to the basketball hierarchy sooner rather than later.&nbsp;
South Sudan point guard Carlik Jones gave it his all after playing all 40 minutes, scoring 17 points, dishing out 10 assists, and grabbing 5 rebounds in an all-around effort. Former NBAer Marial Shayok also provided the necessary support for Jones with 17 points, while former Baylor standout Nuni Omot added 14 points.&nbsp;
South Sudan made 14-34 threes overall, but Serbia had a huge advantage in free throws, making 21/31 to South Sudan&rsquo;s just 6 attempts with 5 makes.&nbsp;
Up next for Serbia is a quarterfinal bout with Australia.

With just one spot left in the quarterfinals, Serbia and South Sudan played a game down to the wire which Serbia eventually won.

Serbia overcomes South Sudan to finish 2nd in Group C, book last QF spot

The USA Men&rsquo;s National Basketball Team continued to rack up wins in their Olympic journey, this time beating South Sudan, to go up 2-0 in pool play and secure their quarterfinal spot at the Pierre de Mauroy Stadium in Lille, France.&nbsp;
After a near scare in their USA Basketball Showcase Game in London where they just won by just a point, Team USA did not let up against this South Sudan team armed with length and shooting. The Americans used every bit of advantage that they have, including all the talent in the world to create separation from the rising South Sudanese. The win essentially made Team USA the top seeded team in Group C with one game to go against Puerto Rico.&nbsp;
The big storyline of this game however went to the benching of superstar center Joel Embiid, who did not see any minutes at all. When asked post-game what went to the decision, Team USA head coach Steve Kerr iterated the need to match up to South Sudan&rsquo;s quickness and length on the wings. Kerr started Anthony Davis in this game in place of Embiid then he put Jayson Tatum in the starting lineup after not playing him at all against Serbia. Tatum started the game in place of Jrue Holiday to go along with Steph Curry, Devin Booker, and LeBron James.&nbsp;
The move went so well as Team USA started off strong with its transition offense as well as an all-switching lineup on defense prevented South Sudan from creating any noteworthy advantages all game long. Team USA also hounded South Sudan&rsquo;s lead guard Carlik Jones who had a triple-double in the exhibition game they played in London.
Bam Adebayo top scored for the Americans with 18 points off the bench while also grabbing 7 rebounds. Kevin Durant, Anthony Edwards, and LeBron James backed him up with 14, 13, and 12 points respectively.&nbsp;
According to ESPN&rsquo;s Brian Windhorst, this will not be the last time Steve Kerr is going to change his starting lineup as Team USA will continue to experiment and treat it as matchup-basis in determining the starters. Moreover, Windhorst says Embiid should be back in the starting lineup in Team USA&rsquo;s last game vs Puerto Rico.

The USA Men’s National Basketball Team continued to rack up wins in their Olympic journey, this time beating South Sudan.

Team USA goes up 2-0 in Group C after defeating South Sudan

The USA Women&rsquo;s National Basketball Team wasted no time in establishing its dominance in the competition after blowing out Japan, 102-76, at the Pierre de Mauroy Stadium in Lille, France for the Paris Olympics.
Gunning for their 8th straight gold medal, Team USA made quick work of Japan whom they faced in the last Olympics gold medal match in Tokyo 2020. Five players scored in double figures for the Americans, led by A&rsquo;Ja Wilson&rsquo;s 24 points and Breanna Stewart&rsquo;s 22 points.
Wilson added 13 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 blocks while Stewart had 8 assists, 3 assists, and 3 blocks of her own as Team USA ran away with the victory. Kelsey Plum, Sabrina Ionescu and Brittney Griner each added 11 points, while Chelsea Gray led Team USA with 13 assists, for a whopping 35 total assists for the team.
Next up for Team USA is a battle between Belgium as they figure to be in the &lsquo;Group of Death&rsquo; in this year&rsquo;s version of the Games.

The USA Women’s National Basketball Team wasted no time in establishing its dominance in the competition after blowing out Japan, 102-76.

Team USA Women’s dominates Japan in Olympic 2020 Final rematch

The USA Men&rsquo;s National Basketball Team passed its second test after beating Australia, 98-92, in the USA Basketball Showcase in Abu Dhabi.&nbsp;
In part of their preparation for the Paris Olympics, Team USA looked to be in cruise control after leading by 20 over the Boomers. However, Australia unleashed a huge run in the 4th quarter, even cutting the lead down to just 4, 94-90, with 15 seconds to go.
Phoenix Suns&rsquo; superstar guard Devin Booker took over from there as he hit 4 clutch free throws to keep the rushing Australians at bay and win the game.
Anthony Davis once again had a double-double to lead the US with 17 points and 14 rebounds while Booker added 16 points of his own. Both came off the bench for the Steve Kerr-manned squad.
Main takeaways:
STEVE KERR PLAYING 4 GUARD LINEUP AT THE END
With Australia playing fast and wreaking havoc on the wings, Kerr opted for an interesting lineup to close the game with Tyrese Haliburton, Jrue Holiday, Anthony Edwards, and Devin Booker all on the floor &ndash; a 4-guard lineup &ndash; alongside Miami Heat big man Bam Adebayo. It could be argued that the lineup almost cost Team USA the game with the Boomers attacking the paint relentlessly against a relatively smaller Team USA lineup. However, it could also be argued on the other way that Kerr utilized the lineup to have more decision-makers on the floor, making reads, and moving the ball. Nonetheless, it was an interesting decision considering the personnel Kerr has at his disposal.&nbsp;
JOEL EMBIID GETTING ESTABLISHED ON OFFENSE
For the second straight game, no one from the opposing team could guard the NBA&rsquo;s MVP straight up. Joel Embiid had a better game vs Australia after fouling out vs Team Canada, scoring 10 points with 5 rebounds. He established his presence on the post, drawing out double teams. At times, Embiid attacked the man in front of him and scored twice on an and-ones. He also dished out assists to the open man when Australia came to double. Overall a good game from Embiid as Kerr has mentioned about Team USA wanting to establish the big man early on offense.&nbsp;

The USA Men’s National Basketball Team passed its second test after beating Australia, 98-92, in the USAB Showcase in Abu Dhabi.

Team USA defeats Australia in USA Basketball Showcase 98-92

Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese continue to set standards and achieve historic records as rookies in the WNBA.&nbsp;
Clark, the 2023 no.1 overall selection, got the first-ever rookie triple-double in the WNBA by scoring 19 points, grabbing 12 rebounds, and dishing out 13 assists. The Indiana Fever rookie led her team to the win over last year&rsquo;s finalists New York Liberty. This was also the franchise&rsquo;s first-ever triple-double, and Clark did this against triple-double queen herself Sabrina Ionescu.&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
CAITLIN CLARK MADE HISTORY TODAY 🗓️ 📊 19 PTS | 13 AST | 12 REB ✅ 1st rookie in WNBA history to record a triple-double ✅ 1st player in Indiana Fever history to record a triple-double<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WelcometotheW?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WelcometotheW</a> <a href="https://t.co/9VVtlU4dLy">pic.twitter.com/9VVtlU4dLy</a>
&mdash; BasketballNews.com (@basketbllnews) <a href="https://twitter.com/basketbllnews/status/1809743574071931331?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 7, 2024</a>
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Reese on the other hand, the 7th overall pick, surpassed WNBA legend Candace Parker&rsquo;s record of 12 straight double-doubles when she had yet another double-double, putting her at 13 straight. What&rsquo;s more impressive is doing this as a rookie and with the WNBA as big as ever, with all the influx of talent internationally and from this star-studded rookie class.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
In a league of her own 👏 With her 13th consecutive double-double, Angel Reese breaks Candace Parker's record for most consecutive double-doubles over multiple seasons!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WelcometotheW?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WelcometotheW</a> <a href="https://t.co/gdUGaDM9e5">pic.twitter.com/gdUGaDM9e5</a>
&mdash; WNBA (@WNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/WNBA/status/1810089834066616682?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 7, 2024</a>
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</blockquote>

Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese continue to set standards and achieve historic records as rookies in the WNBA.

Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese make all-time WNBA records as rookies

USA defeated Italy <a href="https://fiba.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7033084a6897e1c399b667eb5&amp;id=6d669a5050&amp;e=2fb0566584">129-88</a> to win the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2024 championship and complete their mission for a seventh consecutive title.
The USA did not waste any time taking over the game at the Sinan Erdem Dome with a 21-2 first-quarter run to go ahead by 18 points and it was clear sailing the rest of the way.
Koa Peat scored 26 points with 8 rebounds and 4 assists and Cameron Boozer collected 24 points and 13 rebounds. The USA spent the entire tournament breaking records and they snapped their mark for most points scored in a Final, besting their 111-80 win over Poland in 2010.
USA has won all seven editions of the biennial championship, adding the trophy to the ones in 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, and 2022. The 2024 team shattered several records throughout the tournament, including the most points in a single game, most assists, and most steals, and finished the tournament with an average winning margin of 64.3 points - another U17 World Cup record.
Cameron Boozer will take home another piece of hardware as he was named TISSOT Most Valuable Player of the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2024 after guiding the United States to the championship.
Boozer collected 24 points and 13 rebounds in USA's<a href="https://www.fiba.basketball/en/events/fiba-u17-basketball-world-cup-2024/games/122643-ITA-USA"> 129-88</a> victory over Italy in the Final. For the tournament, Boozer averaged 20.1 points, 9.9 rebounds 2.0 assists, and 2.7 steals.
Joining Boozer on the All-Star 5 were his USA teammate AJ Dybantsa, Maikcol Perez of Italy, Kaan Onat from T&uuml;rkiye, and New Zealand's Oscar Goodman.
Dybantsa tallied 14 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists against Italy and averaged 14.1 points, 3.9 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.6 steals in the title run. Perez had 18 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists in the Final and picked up 14.6 points, 8.6 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 1.1 steals per game.

USA defeated Italy 129-88 to win the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2024 championship to win their seventh consecutive title.