WNBA icons Candace Parker and Elena Delle Donne were enshrined into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts on Saturday night.

The star-studded 2026 induction class strongly highlighted women’s basketball, celebrating multiple multi-time most valuable players alongside legendary Olympic teams.

Joining the groundbreaking duo were prominent figures from the men’s game, including coaching veterans Doc Rivers and Mike D’Antoni.

Former Phoenix Suns star Amar’e Stoudemire, long-time official Joey Crawford and Gonzaga head coach Mark Few also received basketball’s highest honour.

A love letter to the sport

During an emotional ceremony, Parker brought a basketball to the podium to symbolise her lifelong connection to the game.

The three-time WNBA champion and two-time Olympic gold medallist reflected on a decorated career that began with dominance at the University of Tennessee.

“It felt weird to walk on the stage without the reason I’m here today,” Parker said to the crowd.

The 38-year-old broke down in tears while closing her speech, describing her 27-year journey on the court as a destined love story.

Fellow inductee Delle Donne echoed similar sentiments, reflecting on the profound highs and challenging physical lows of her own professional career.

The historic 50-40-90 club member credited her enduring perspective on life to her older sister Lizzie, who is blind and deaf.

“She never played in front of thousands of people, never had a standing ovation, never been interviewed after a big win. Yet I’ve never met anyone stronger,” Delle Donne said.

Coaching greatness and collegiate legends

Rivers, who sits sixth on the all-time NBA coaching wins list with 1,194 victories, paid a tearful tribute to his inspiring brother Grady.

The ceremony also recognised the dominant 1996 United States Olympic women’s team, alongside former collegiate standout Chamique Holdsclaw.

The former college superstar anchored a pioneering Tennessee roster that secured three consecutive national titles between 1996 and 1998.

Holdsclaw used her time on stage to honour the late Pat Summitt, who guided that historic 1998 squad to an unprecedented undefeated 39-0 season.

“The one and only coach Summitt allowed me to grow as a player and person. I miss her dearly,” Holdsclaw said.

Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers both scored 29 points as the Indiana Fever defeated a shorthanded Dallas Wings 98-87 in Indianapolis on Friday night.

The third-year guard also registered 10 assists to secure her seventh game this season with at least 25 points and 10 assists.

This remarkable feat extends her own WNBA career record to 13 such games, cementing her status as one of the league’s elite playmakers.

Penetrating the Dallas defence with ease, the former Iowa standout scored or assisted on 51% of Indiana’s total points.

‘Like a maestro’ commanding the floor

Fever head coach Stephanie White was quick to praise her star point guard’s offensive mastery.

“She’s like a maestro, the way that she really runs our offense,” White said.
“I’m in awe watching CC play; sometimes it’s like it’s normal, and it’s not,” added Indiana guard Ty Harris.

Despite the final scoreline, the opening half was a tightly contested, low-scoring affair with the Wings holding a slender 37-35 advantage at the interval.

Future US teammates trade blows

The contest truly ignited in the third quarter when the two former number one overall draft picks exchanged relentless scoring sequences.

Thrilling a sellout crowd at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, the dynamic duo combined for 30 points on 11-for-15 shooting during the third period alone.

Both players will soon put their domestic rivalry aside to share a backcourt for the United States senior national team at the FIBA World Cup in Berlin next month.

The standout Dallas guard matched her rival’s offensive output while also contributing six assists and six rebounds for the depleted visitors.

Fever surge late to seal victory

The Fever playmaker was highly complimentary of her soon-to-be international teammate’s fluid performance on the night.

“Paige is a tremendous player,” Clark said. “She takes what the defense gives her, she doesn’t force anything, she’s smooth.”

However, Indiana managed to stifle the Dallas offensive threat in the final 10 minutes, outscoring their opponents 35-21 in the fourth quarter to pull away.

Wings head coach Jose Fernandez labelled his team’s second-half defensive display as “inexcusable” after they conceded 63 points following the break.

The NBA has released its 2026-27 season schedule, headlined by emotional January returns for Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jaylen Brown to their former franchises.

The two-time Most Valuable Player will travel to Milwaukee for the first time with the Miami Heat on 28 January.

Having spent 13 illustrious seasons with the Bucks and securing a championship in 2021, the Greek forward’s homecoming at the Fiserv Forum promises to be a momentous occasion.

This highly anticipated fixture also sees Bam Adebayo face former teammate Tyler Herro, following an offseason summer league altercation between the pair in Las Vegas.

Herro, along with Kel’el Ware and Jaime Jaquez Jr, will make their own return to Florida when Milwaukee visit the Heat on 4 February.

Brown and James set for hostile Boston reception

Another major date on the calendar is 21 January, marking Jaylen Brown’s first appearance at TD Garden since joining the Philadelphia 76ers.

The former Finals MVP was controversially traded within the Atlantic Division in a blockbuster deal for Paul George and four draft picks.

Celtics supporters expressed widespread frustration over the trade return, especially after the explosive wing averaged a career-high 28.7 points last season while Jayson Tatum was sidelined.

Adding further intrigue to the January clash, LeBron James will also feature for Philadelphia, bringing his historic rivalry with Boston into a new chapter.

Ball heads to Minnesota as Young faces former fans

In a move that stunned the league, the Charlotte Hornets traded talismanic point guard LaMelo Ball to the Minnesota Timberwolves after narrowly missing the play-in tournament.

The popular playmaker will finally return to North Carolina to play in front of his former supporters on 15 February.

Elsewhere, Washington Wizards guard Trae Young will take to the court in Atlanta on 6 November.

The prolific scorer missed out on playing against his former franchise last season due to injury, meaning this autumn fixture will serve as his true on-court homecoming.

Number one pick Dybantsa prepares for debut

Washington will also showcase number one overall draft pick AJ Dybantsa, who makes his professional debut at home against Milwaukee on 21 October.

The highly touted rookie is then scheduled to face second overall pick Darryn Peterson when the Wizards travel to the Utah Jazz in late February.

Fans will also be treated to a marquee matchup between the last two number one selections when Dybantsa squares off against Cooper Flagg later in the campaign.

Former Most Valuable Player Russell Westbrook announced his retirement from the NBA on Wednesday, concluding an 18-season career spanning seven different franchises.

The veteran guard leaves the sport as the undisputed king of the triple-double, holding the all-time league record with a staggering 209.

He famously surpassed Oscar Robertson’s long-standing tally of 181 during the 2021 campaign, breaking a milestone that had remained untouched since 1974.

Oklahoma City legacy and Finals heartbreak

The dynamic playmaker was originally selected as the fourth overall pick by the Seattle SuperSonics in the 2008 NBA draft.

However, he spent the vast majority of his professional career representing the Oklahoma City Thunder following the franchise’s relocation.

During his 11-year tenure in Oklahoma, the explosive athlete secured the prestigious MVP award in 2017 after a historic individual campaign.

An iconic trio falls short

Westbrook formed a formidable partnership with fellow future superstars Kevin Durant and James Harden in the early stages of his career.

That young core successfully navigated their way to the Western Conference title in 2012, before ultimately falling to the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals.

Across a remarkable career, the relentless competitor maintained impressive overall averages of 20.9 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 8.0 assists per game.

American businessmen Josh Kushner and Bob Iger have agreed to purchase the Los Angeles Lakers from Mark Walter for a record-breaking sum exceeding $12bn (£9.5bn).

The staggering agreement represents the highest price ever paid for a professional sports franchise globally.

It abruptly ends Walter’s brief tenure as majority owner of the historic basketball institution.

The TWG Global chairman had only assumed a controlling interest from the Buss family last October following unanimous approval from the NBA Board of Governors.

Pivot from Las Vegas expansion

Both Kushner and former Disney chief executive Iger were initially focused on establishing a new expansion team in Nevada.

However, the duo executed a stunning pivot to submit an aggressive, successful bid for the 17-time NBA champions.

The transaction fundamentally shifts the ownership landscape of one of sport’s most recognisable global brands.

Walter’s vast sporting portfolio

Despite relinquishing control of the California-based organisation, Walter maintains a massive footprint across international sports.

His diversified holding company continues to hold significant interests in Major League Baseball’s Los Angeles Dodgers and the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks.

Walter’s expansive sporting portfolio also stretches across the Atlantic to include Premier League side Chelsea alongside the Professional Women’s Hockey League.

Furthermore, the American billionaire remains heavily involved in motorsport, possessing several auto racing teams including Cadillac Formula 1.

Golden State Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy is confident that Stephen Curry will sign a contract extension and spend his entire career with the NBA franchise.

The 36-year-old point guard is entering the final season of his current deal, which is worth $62.5m (£49m).

Curry will become eligible to sign a two-year extension worth up to $136.7m on 29 August.

Commitment to San Francisco

“He hasn’t [said any different],” Dunleavy told reporters regarding the player’s commitment.

“That’s always been the message, that’s always been what he’s discussed, and I think that’s tracking quite well.”

The franchise icon has publicly stated his desire to remain with the team for the remainder of his playing days.

While the four-time NBA champion ultimately controls his own destiny, Dunleavy dismissed the idea of his star player requesting a trade.

“If he comes to me and wants to be moved, Joe [Lacob] and I will talk it through. We wouldn’t love it, but he’s earned the right to do what he wants.”

Mike Dunleavy

Balancing talent and availability

The Western Conference side experienced a quiet offseason after missing out on free agent LeBron James.

Management instead opted to re-sign their core alongside veterans such as Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford and De’Anthony Melton.

However, the roster faces significant injury concerns heading into the new campaign.

Starting wings Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody are expected to miss substantial time following severe knee injuries last year.

Several other key contributors missed significant portions of the previous campaign:

The veteran guard himself was limited to just 43 appearances last season because of persistent right knee swelling.

“Constructing the roster, we had to make a decision between talent and availability, and we leaned a little bit more toward talent,” Dunleavy added.

Defending champions the New York Knicks will begin their title defence against LeBron James’ new-look Philadelphia 76ers on the opening night of the NBA season on 20 October.

The Eastern Conference franchise will raise their championship banner before facing a side they swept 4-0 in last season’s playoffs.

However, the visiting team has been heavily transformed during the off-season following the blockbuster acquisitions of the 41-year-old superstar and Jaylen Brown.

Triple-header tips off new campaign

The highly anticipated clash forms part of a prime-time television triple-header to launch the new basketball calendar.

Proceedings will begin with the Boston Celtics visiting the Detroit Pistons, who surprisingly advanced to the conference semi-finals last year while their opponents suffered a first-round exit.

The opening night concludes with a blockbuster Western Conference Finals rematch as the San Antonio Spurs travel to face the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The Texan franchise previously eliminated their opponents in a thrilling seven-game series on their way to the league’s showpiece event last season.

Christmas Day spectacles confirmed

The NBA also revealed its traditional marquee Christmas Day schedule, which features five consecutive festive fixtures.

A standout matchup will see the league’s all-time leading scorer face his former employers when the 76ers take on a Los Angeles Lakers squad now featuring Luka Doncic.

The Christmas schedule will mark a 21st holiday appearance for the veteran forward, who is entering a record-equalling 24th professional season.

Meanwhile, the Knicks will extend their own record by playing in their 59th Christmas Day fixture when they host the Spurs at Madison Square Garden.

The two teams met on the same stage in 2024, where French phenom Victor Wembanyama scored a franchise-record 42 points in a losing effort against a Mikal Bridges-inspired New York.

Opening week highlights

Several other compelling matchups have been slated for the opening week, including the Minnesota Timberwolves visiting the Miami Heat on 21 October.

The following evening sees the Cleveland Cavaliers travel to Philadelphia, while the Denver Nuggets face Oklahoma City.

The complete regular-season schedule is expected to be released in full by the league on Thursday.

Panathinaikos owner Dimitrios Giannakopoulos has revealed his club made a serious but unsuccessful bid to buy Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic out of his NBA contract and intends to pursue him again in free agency next summer.

The Greek businessman told the Euro Insiders podcast that he submitted a formal proposal to both the three-time NBA Most Valuable Player and his current franchise.

However, the audacious move was swiftly rejected by the 2023 NBA champions.

“It took a few seconds for the Nuggets to say, ‘Who? Greece? Where? What? Bye,'” Giannakopoulos said.
“But let’s wait until next year.”

Eyeing a future move

The Serbian international currently has two seasons remaining on his existing NBA deal, which includes a player option for the final year.

This clause affords the 29-year-old the freedom to enter unrestricted free agency next summer.

Despite the lucrative interest from Athens, the commanding center has previously stated his desire to remain in Colorado for the entirety of his career.

He is reportedly delaying a $278m maximum extension for financial reasons, as waiting until July 2027 could make him eligible for a record-breaking five-year, $359.5m contract.

A quiet off-season in Denver

Giannakopoulos is no stranger to ambitious recruitment drives, having previously attempted to lure veteran center Jonas Valanciunas away from Denver.

The Lithuanian ultimately departed the Nuggets during the current off-season, opting to join EuroLeague powerhouse Zalgiris Kaunas instead.

It marks a relatively subdued free agency period for the Western Conference franchise.

They recently signed veteran Marvin Bagley III and matched an offer sheet from the Oklahoma City Thunder to retain reserve wing Spencer Jones.

The front office now faces the task of navigating restricted free agency negotiations with promising young forward Peyton Watson to keep their expensive core intact.