Angel Reese has broken both the WNBA single-game and single-season rebounding records by securing 26 boards during the Atlanta Dream’s 78-71 victory over the Los Angeles Sparks on Monday night.
The prolific forward surpassed Chamique Holdsclaw’s previous single-game benchmark of 24 rebounds, which had stood since May 2003.
She also eclipsed A’ja Wilson’s single-season record set earlier in 2024, pushing her current tally to an unprecedented 458 rebounds.
Alongside her historic dominance on the glass, the Dream star registered 11 points to secure a league-leading 27th double-double of the campaign.
Milestone evening for Atlanta
The triumph over Los Angeles marked Atlanta’s ninth consecutive victory against the Sparks.
It proved to be a record-breaking night for multiple members of the visiting roster.
Allisha Gray paced the team with 20 points, simultaneously establishing a new franchise record for field goals in a season with 247.
Meanwhile, teammate Rhyne Howard contributed 18 points to surpass the 3,000-point threshold for her professional career.
Sparks struggle despite Ogwumike effort
Los Angeles fell to a 13-25 record despite a resilient individual performance from Nneka Ogwumike.
The veteran forward delivered an impressive 27 points and 16 rebounds in a losing effort.
Dearica Hamby and Cameron Brink each added 15 points, but the hosts ultimately could not contain Atlanta’s historic rebounding display.
Portland Trail Blazers guard Shaedon Sharpe is expected to miss six months of the 2026-27 NBA season after suffering a torn right meniscus during an offseason workout.
The 23-year-old sustained the severe knee injury in recent weeks, dealing a significant blow to the Western Conference franchise before the new campaign begins.
Despite averaging an impressive 20.8 points per game last term, the explosive scorer missed a large portion of the season due to a stress fracture in his left fibula.
Veteran additions provide crucial depth
To mitigate this prolonged absence, Portland will rely heavily on their exceptionally experienced backcourt.
The presence of Ja Morant, Damian Lillard and Jrue Holiday ensures the Oregon-based organisation maintains elite guard depth.
This veteran trio must now shoulder the offensive burden while their highly-rated team-mate focuses on an extensive rehabilitation programme.
Lucrative contract extension begins
This latest physical setback arrives at a highly frustrating time for the former first-round draft pick.
A lucrative four-year, $90m (£71m) contract extension agreed last year officially commences this season.
He is scheduled to earn approximately $20m (£15.9m) during the 2026-27 campaign while recovering from this devastating injury.
Four-time NBA champion Klay Thompson is expected to sign with the Miami Heat after agreeing a contract buyout with the Dallas Mavericks on Friday.
The 36-year-old will officially join the Eastern Conference franchise upon clearing waivers this week.
He departs Dallas after two seasons, walking away from the final year of a contract that was due to pay him $17.5m (£13.7m).
Strengthening a new-look contender
Thompson prepares to bring elite perimeter shooting to a Miami roster newly built around blockbuster acquisition Giannis Antetokounmpo and star centre Bam Adebayo.
The veteran sharpshooter averaged 12.9 points per game and shot 38.7% from beyond the arc during his recent stint in Texas.
Despite a slightly reduced scoring role, the former Golden State star recently overtook Damian Lillard to rank fourth on the NBA’s all-time list for career three-pointers made.
Mavericks president of basketball operations Masai Ujiri confirmed the buyout on Friday afternoon while paying tribute to the departing guard.
“Klay is one of the great players and competitors of his generation, and we are grateful for everything he brought to the Mavericks organization.”
“We have tremendous respect for Klay and all that he has accomplished throughout his career, and we wish him nothing but the best moving forward.”
Moving on from previous setbacks
Prior to his 2024 arrival in Dallas, the five-time All-Star spent 13 decorated seasons with the Golden State Warriors.
His highly successful tenure in San Francisco yielded four NBA championships, though it was heavily disrupted by devastating Achilles and knee injuries that sidelined him for consecutive years.
Miami head coach Erik Spoelstra will hope his latest veteran addition can remain healthy and provide the crucial floor spacing required to maximise Antetokounmpo’s interior dominance.
American businessman Marc Stad has acquired a controlling stake in the Minnesota Timberwolves and Minnesota Lynx in a deal valuing the basketball franchises at $4.5bn.
The Dragoneer Investment Group founder assumes majority control by purchasing a significant portion of outgoing co-owner Marc Lore’s equity.
Lore will retain a minority investment, while former baseball star Alex Rodriguez has elected to increase his own financial commitment.
The lucrative transaction now awaits formal approval from the NBA Board of Governors during their upcoming September meetings.
Leadership reshuffle and strategic focus
Lore has opted to step back from his co-chairman responsibilities to concentrate on floating his food-technology company on the stock market.
The departing principal owner believes that transferring the reins offers the Minneapolis-based organisations the greatest opportunity for sustained success.
Under the newly restructured hierarchy, Elisa Stad will assume duties as the primary governor for the NBA franchise.
Meanwhile, Rodriguez will continue acting as alternate governor for the men’s team whilst serving as the primary governor for the WNBA side.
Record valuation and ownership history
The agreed $4.5bn valuation currently ranks as the fourth-largest franchise sale in the history of the league.
It trails only the recent $6.1bn acquisition of the Boston Celtics and two separate high-value transactions involving the Los Angeles Lakers.
This boardroom transition arrives shortly after a protracted and highly publicised dispute with former owner Glen Taylor.
Lore and Rodriguez initially entered the Western Conference setup in 2021 at a $1.5bn valuation before finally wrestling full control in June 2025.
Continuity for basketball operations
Despite the significant structural changes above them, the existing sporting leadership will remain entirely intact.
President of basketball operations Tim Connelly and general manager Matt Lloyd are set to continue guiding the front office.
On the court, head coach Chris Finch remains firmly in charge of the men’s squad.
Highly decorated coach Cheryl Reeve will also maintain her dual role leading the Lynx both on the sidelines and in the executive suite.
The Cleveland Cavaliers have acquired Peyton Watson and sent Max Strus to the Los Angeles Clippers as part of a complex multi-team trade.
The 23-year-old wing joins the Ohio franchise on a new four-year contract worth $88m (£69.5m).
This lucrative agreement includes both a player option and a trade kicker.
In exchange for facilitating the move, the Denver Nuggets will receive an unprotected 2031 first-round draft pick from Cleveland.
Denver also acquires a 2032 second-round selection originally belonging to the Sacramento Kings.
Cavs retool after playoff disappointment
Cleveland’s front office has aggressively reshaped their squad following a bruising sweep by the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference finals.
The addition of the former Denver standout brings much-needed athleticism and perimeter scoring to a roster seeking a deeper postseason run.
This transaction marks the second significant departure for the Cavaliers this week following the recent trade of Dennis Schroder.
Clippers and Wizards capitalise on movement
Los Angeles utilised a trade exception to absorb the established shooting of Strus into their lineup.
To complete their end of the bargain, the Clippers parted with a 2027 second-round pick initially acquired from the Philadelphia 76ers.
The Washington Wizards also feature in the expansive exchange, receiving guard Tre Mann and that 2027 second-round selection from Cleveland.
Breakout season earns lucrative reward
The guaranteed financial commitment reflects a stellar campaign where the promising youngster started 40 games and averaged career highs across multiple statistical categories.
He demonstrated remarkable offensive growth by shooting 41% from three-point range and registering four 30-point performances.
His growing reputation is anchored by elite defensive metrics, ranking second overall in field goal percentage allowed as a contesting defender since entering the league.
Executives finalised the arrangement on Wednesday after navigating heavy free-agency interest from the Milwaukee Bucks and Portland Trail Blazers.
The Buss family have agreed to sell their remaining ownership stake in the Los Angeles Lakers to a group led by Bob Iger and Josh Kushner, ending Jeanie Buss’s tenure as team governor.
The historic NBA franchise will see its long-standing dynastic leadership conclude once the 17.8% share transaction is officially completed.
League guidelines dictate that controlling governors must hold a minimum 15% share, meaning the current president will no longer qualify for the role she has held since 2013.
End of an era for basketball royalty
“We have decided as a family to sell the remaining Buss Family Trust shares to the Bob Iger group as part of the ongoing transaction,” the family said in a statement.
“We love the Lakers, Laker fans and will continue to support Los Angeles; but it is time to use this opportunity to move on and exit gracefully while we still can.”
The family trust required four votes from the six siblings to trigger a tag-along provision from Mark Walter’s previous sale to the incoming owners.
This latest agreement values the 17-time NBA champions at an astonishing $12.5bn (£9.5bn).
Walter’s turbulent and brief reign
The decision follows a controversial period after the family initially sold a majority stake to Walter last June at a then-record $10bn valuation.
Multiple siblings reportedly felt pressured into that initial agreement and were frustrated by what they considered a rushed process orchestrated by their sister.
While the original deal allowed the long-time executive to remain as governor until 2030, her siblings were subsequently removed from their operational positions within the organisation.
Walter’s tenure as majority owner lasted less than a year after his bid was unanimously approved by the league last October.
The TWG Global chief executive is currently facing federal investigations regarding alleged tax fraud connected to other companies tied to his financial empire.
What happens next for the new owners?
Kushner and former Disney chief Iger are already purchasing approximately 65% of the Californian franchise directly from Walter.
Acquiring the additional shares from the founding trust will boost their total ownership stake to roughly 83%.
The monumental takeover still requires formal ratification from the NBA’s board of governors.
This approval process may be delayed until the next board meeting in New York, scheduled for mid-September.
Furthermore, Kushner must successfully divest his existing limited equity in the Miami Heat before the final green light can be given.
The NBA has found no evidence that LA Clippers owner Steve Ballmer funneled money through team sponsors to pay Kawhi Leonard in order to circumvent the salary cap.
Instead, the league is now examining whether the franchise violated rules by introducing the two-time Finals MVP to corporate partners.
Investigators are considering if the Western Conference organisation is guilty of a failure to supervise its employees.
It remains unclear exactly which regulations may have been breached or what potential penalties could be applied.
Expanded investigation into sponsor links
The 11-month inquiry initially centred on the forward’s relationship with Aspiration, a now-defunct green banking firm.
However, the probe eventually broadened to include at least three other companies that held commercial deals with the Los Angeles outfit.
Despite this widened scope, league officials have presented no proof that the billionaire owner illicitly channelled funds to his star player.
Initial findings were delivered to the franchise in late July by the law firm Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz.
Ongoing discussions and franchise defence
Both sides have engaged in spirited negotiations in recent days to reach a resolution.
The discussions are being led by NBA general counsel Rick Buchanan and legal representatives for the franchise.
A spokesperson for the Clippers declined to comment directly on the ongoing talks but vigorously defended their corporate practices.
Making introductions between players and team partners is both an ordinary practice by NBA teams and a common request of players and representatives.
The team also stated that they did not dictate the terms of any individual endorsement agreements.
Roots of the salary cap probe
The investigation was triggered following previous reports that the former Microsoft chief executive invested $50m (£38m) into Aspiration in late 2021.
During the same period, the banking firm signed a $300m (£228m) partnership to become a founding partner of the team’s new arena.
Months later, Aspiration agreed a $28m (£21m) endorsement contract with the six-time All-Star.
Allegations later surfaced from a former employee suggesting the sponsorship was specifically designed to bypass financial restrictions.
Diana Taurasi has been honoured by the Phoenix Mercury in an emotional post-game ceremony to retire her number three jersey, marking the conclusion of a historic 20-season career.
The WNBA’s all-time leading scorer watched her famous jersey ascend to the rafters at the Mortgage Matchup Center following Sunday’s 88-85 defeat by the Portland Fire.
The veteran guard used the momentous occasion to reflect on her legacy, admitting the event brought a definitive sense of closure to her playing days.
“When your number goes up there, you can’t use it anymore,” said Taurasi.
“It’s done. So, if there was any little competitiveness still in me, I think today it goes up in the rafters with the number and it feels really good to know that.”
A legacy unmatched in Phoenix
Taurasi’s legendary association with the Arizona-based franchise spans two decades, yielding three WNBA championships and an unprecedented list of individual accolades.
During that dominant era, the basketball icon became the first player in league history to surpass the 10,000-point milestone.
To celebrate her unwavering loyalty to the team, 20 former colleagues representing each of her professional seasons presented her with white roses on the court.
The extensive list of returning personnel included former coach Paul Westhead alongside prominent past teammates such as Brittney Griner and Kahleah Copper.
Sporting royalty pay their respects
The 75-minute celebration featured video tributes from across the sporting world, highlighting the global respect the American commands.
Basketball luminaries including LeBron James, Magic Johnson, Sue Bird and Dawn Staley all provided recorded messages to celebrate the milestone.
The evening concluded with a final address from the three-time champion herself, blending comedy and sentimentality as she thanked those who shaped her journey.
“It’s been 20 years, one city, one team, one jersey, and tonight that number three is on all our backs,” she concluded.