Don Nelson, the second-winningest head coach in NBA history and a five-time champion as a player, has died at the age of 86 on Sunday.
“On Sunday morning our beloved husband, dad, grandfather and great-grandfather Don Nelson peacefully went to be with the Lord, surrounded by his loving family,” a statement from his relatives read.
The Hall of Fame inductee amassed a remarkable 1,335 regular-season victories during his 31-year managerial tenure across four different franchises.
His all-time wins record stood for years before finally being surpassed by San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich in March 2022.
Pioneering ‘Nellieball’ and Milwaukee success
The tactician became famous for his unorthodox, fast-paced offensive system that was affectionately dubbed ‘Nellieball’ by fans and pundits alike.
He claimed the prestigious NBA Coach of the Year award on three separate occasions but famously never secured a championship ring from the dugout.
Despite missing out on a coaching title, the basketball visionary guided the Milwaukee Bucks to seven consecutive Central Division crowns after taking charge in 1976.
An inability to overcome Eastern Conference giants such as Boston and Philadelphia ultimately prevented him from reaching the NBA Finals with the Wisconsin franchise.
Playing glory and Golden State legacy
Before transitioning to the bench, the imposing forward enjoyed immense success on the court, lifting five NBA titles during an 11-season spell with the Boston Celtics.
The Massachusetts outfit immortalised his playing contributions by retiring his iconic number 19 jersey in 1978.
After briefly working as a television analyst, the seasoned manager enjoyed two distinct spells in charge of the Golden State Warriors, separated by a brief stint at the New York Knicks.
The California-based organisation paid tribute to their former leader on Sunday, describing him as a true pioneer who was never afraid to challenge conventional thinking.
“More than anything, Don Nelson will be remembered for his authenticity, larger-than-life personality, and incredible passion for basketball,”
the Golden State Warriors added in a statement.
His storied career on the sidelines eventually concluded with a final managerial chapter at the Dallas Mavericks.
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark is facing an automatic one-game WNBA suspension after picking up her eighth technical foul of the season during Saturday’s 90-86 victory over the Chicago Sky.
The Fever have immediately appealed the decision in hopes of having the penalty rescinded before Tuesday’s clash against the New York Liberty.
The rookie sensation was penalised in the third quarter after colliding with a referee while being forced out of bounds.
An eighth technical foul in a single WNBA campaign automatically triggers a mandatory one-match ban under league regulations.
Appeal launched over incidental contact
Speaking after the hard-fought win in Chicago, the former Iowa standout insisted the physical exchange was entirely accidental.
The 22-year-old clarified that no words were exchanged with the official during the rapid sequence of play.
“She said I ran into her; I have already watched it on the tape.”
Clark explained to reporters following the pivotal victory.
“It wasn’t anything intentional or anything, so I hope it gets rescinded.”
Fever coach criticises officiating awareness
Indiana head coach Stephanie White strongly defended her star playmaker following the final buzzer.
The experienced manager described the incident as a natural consequence of players moving at high speeds near the boundary lines.
“That’s a bad call, incidental contact when you’re flying out of control.”
White remarked regarding the controversial whistle.
“Officials have to have some awareness in those moments, and it didn’t happen.”
If the league upholds the penalty, the Indiana franchise will be without their primary ball-handler for a crucial matchup in New York.
The Minnesota Lynx have secured a WNBA playoff spot by defeating the Las Vegas Aces 98-87 in Minneapolis on Saturday afternoon to improve to a league-best 26-7 record.
Rookie Olivia Miles led the charge for the hosts with a brilliant 26-point performance.
She was closely supported by Napheesa Collier, who contributed 22 points in a crucial victory for the Western Conference pacesetters.
Natasha Howard also proved instrumental, tallying 17 points, nine rebounds and six assists.
Miles and Collier shine in pivotal third quarter
The home side held a slender four-point advantage at the half before reserve Dorka Juhasz sparked a critical surge.
Juhasz combined effectively with Courtney Williams, with the pair trading assists on back-to-back three-pointers to push the lead to double digits.
Las Vegas responded instantly with a 7-0 run, spearheaded by a three-point play from Jackie Young, who finished with a team-high 23 points.
However, Collier quickly restored the cushion by sinking consecutive triples off feeds from the impressive Miles.
Late drama ensures post-season qualification
The visiting side struggled to contain the Minnesota offence in the final period.
A decisive sequence arrived when Jewell Loyd was penalised for a flagrant foul following a reckless closeout on Kayla McBride.
McBride converted all three resulting free throws, and Collier added two more from the same possession to establish a commanding 85-72 lead.
Miles then took over the closing stages, scoring 10 of her points in the fourth quarter to comfortably see out the contest.
A’ja Wilson was limited to 16 points and eight rebounds for the Aces, who could not keep pace with the league leaders.
Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke died from an accidental overdose of heroin and cocaine, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s office has confirmed.
The 29-year-old was discovered unresponsive at a residence in the San Fernando Valley area of Los Angeles on the evening of 11 May.
Law enforcement sources previously confirmed that narcotics were present at the scene, with authorities swiftly ruling out any suspicion of foul play.
An official news release on Friday stated that the formal cause of death was definitively linked to the combined effects of the two illicit substances.
A devastating loss for Memphis
The tragic passing of the seven-season veteran sent profound shockwaves throughout the NBA.
His loss was felt most acutely in Tennessee, where the dynamic frontcourt player had spent the entirety of his professional career.
“Brandon was an outstanding teammate and an even better person whose impact on the organization and the greater Memphis community will not be forgotten.”
The franchise released that heartfelt tribute shortly after the initial news of his sudden passing emerged earlier this year.
Officials have stated that a comprehensive and finalised medical examiner report will be made available to the public at a future date.
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark believes she is playing the best basketball of her career after overcoming recent injury setbacks to set new WNBA scoring and assist records.
The 24-year-old recently returned from a back issue that forced her onto a strict minutes restriction.
That limitation proved frustrating during a July defeat against the Los Angeles Sparks.
“It’s just really hard when you’re playing three minutes then out three minutes,” Clark admitted following the loss.
However, the former Iowa collegiate standout quickly rediscovered her rhythm.
Record-breaking return fuels playoff push
Just nine days after struggling in California, the formidable playmaker dropped a career-high 45 points against the Seattle Storm.
That sensational performance marked the first 40-point, 10-assist game in WNBA history.
Her dominant displays have revitalised Indiana’s season, sparking a 7-3 run that has thrust the franchise into the hunt for a top-four playoff seeding.
“We’re once again feeling sort of the power and presence of Caitlin Clark when she’s playing at full speed,” noted ESPN analyst Rebecca Lobo.
Overcoming injury to reach new heights
Now in her third professional campaign, the former number one overall draft pick has put last season’s frustrating groin, quad, and ankle issues firmly behind her.
The lightning-fast guard is currently averaging 21.5 points and 8.0 assists across 27 appearances this year.
She also recently became the fastest player in league history to accumulate 1,500 points and 500 assists.
Despite already boasting 18 career games with at least 20 points and 10 assists – the most by any player ever – the global sporting icon acknowledges the constant scrutiny she faces.
“I know I’m under a microscope always and my play is always going to be judged,” said the recently selected US national team star.
“I understand that. I feel like I’m playing the best basketball of my career.”
International duties await
Beyond her domestic ambitions with the Fever, international recognition has swiftly followed her resurgence.
The elite offensive powerhouse was recently named to the United States women’s national team roster.
She will prepare to represent her country at the upcoming FIBA World Cup in September once the WNBA regular season concludes.
Chelsea Gray hit two dramatic buzzer-beating three-pointers to help the Las Vegas Aces overcome a 20-point deficit and secure an 86-84 overtime victory against the Indiana Fever.
The defending WNBA champions snatched the win in Indianapolis following late uncharacteristic errors from rookie standout Caitlin Clark.
Clark missed two crucial free throws with seven seconds remaining in regulation while her team led by three points.
That allowed Gray to sink her first last-gasp effort from beyond the arc and force an additional period.
Clark miscues prove costly
The drama continued deep into overtime when the Fever held a slender one-point advantage.
A crucial defensive stop by A’ja Wilson stripped the ball from Clark with just seven seconds left on the clock.
Gray capitalised immediately, draining another decisive three-pointer as the buzzer sounded to seal a remarkable comeback.
Wilson finished with 26 points and 13 rebounds to spearhead the visiting side.
Meanwhile, Jackie Young added 22 points, including a franchise-record 15 consecutive points bridging the first and second halves.
Fever falter despite Mitchell masterclass
Kelsey Mitchell top-scored for the hosts with 28 points, though she also missed a vital late free throw in regulation.
Aliyah Boston contributed heavily with 21 points and 12 rebounds for the Indiana franchise.
Despite a 20-point haul and eight assists, it proved a frustrating evening for the former Iowa standout, who recorded eight turnovers.
The hosts had looked in total control before the visitors mounted a sustained 15-0 run just before half-time to slash the deficit.
Courtside disruption halts play
The momentum shift was momentarily paused midway through the third quarter following a disruption in the crowd.
Play was halted for several minutes while security escorted individuals sitting opposite the away bench out of the arena.
The Fever subsequently confirmed that one fan was removed and chose not to return.
Young later addressed the incident with reporters following the conclusion of the game.
Someone had been chirping all night and had crossed the line.
The guard declined to elaborate further on the exact nature of the remarks.
LA Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard reportedly held an undisclosed sponsorship agreement with the manufacturer of the team’s arena video board, raising further questions regarding potential NBA salary cap circumvention.
The latest allegations were brought to light on Thursday by journalist Pablo Torre, citing an anonymous source connected to the Intuit Dome project.
This unnamed official claimed the arrangement was specifically designed to funnel money from the franchise through the South Dakota-based manufacturer and back to the marquee player.
It was 1,000% a way to circumvent the salary cap. It was funneling money from the Clippers through Daktronics back to Kawhi.
A former franchise official also reportedly confirmed their knowledge of a lucrative partnership between the franchise cornerstone and the technology company.
Daktronics is responsible for designing the “Halo Board”, the massive double-sided display situated inside the recently opened $2bn (£1.5bn) arena in Inglewood, California.
Deepening NBA investigation
While the exact timeline and financial terms remain unclear, a spokesperson representing the technology firm indicated the veteran forward does not currently hold an active contract with them.
However, the representative declined to provide further specifics regarding the past relationship, citing an ongoing legal probe.
I don’t know what the company wants to say, or can say, given the Wachtell investigation and all that.
Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz is the prominent law firm currently spearheading a broader NBA investigation into the Los Angeles franchise’s financial dealings.
The league initially launched its inquiry in September to examine a separate April 2022 endorsement deal the Los Angeles star signed with Aspiration, a now-bankrupt green-banking company.
Denials from Clippers ownership
Previous reports indicated that billionaire owner Steve Ballmer had personally invested $50m into Aspiration shortly before the team secured a massive 23-year partnership with the financial firm.
Six months later, the team’s leading figure secured a highly lucrative $28m endorsement contract of his own with the same organisation.
An unnamed former employee of the banking firm previously alleged that this specific agreement was also orchestrated to bypass strict league wage limits.
Franchise officials have consistently and categorically denied any accusations that they utilised third-party sponsors to illegally compensate their roster outside of normal regulations.
Ballmer insists the organisation merely facilitated an initial introduction between his player’s representatives and Aspiration executives, maintaining no further involvement.
The American owner also stated he personally lost his entire $60m investment in the failed venture, claiming he was flagrantly defrauded by the company.
Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers have been named in the United States roster for next month’s FIBA Women’s World Cup in Germany as part of a highly anticipated youth movement.
The 12-player national squad, announced on Thursday, blends emerging collegiate and professional talent with established international veterans.
Angel Reese and Aliyah Boston will also make their maiden senior appearances at a major global competition.
They are joined by WNBA superstars A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart, who boast a combined six league MVP awards.
A new era for the national team
The tournament in Berlin marks only the second major event since the 2000 Olympics where neither Sue Bird nor Diana Taurasi will feature on the court.
Instead, Bird oversaw the selection process in her new role as the national team’s managing director.
“This is an incredibly talented group that has earned the opportunity to compete in Berlin,” Bird said.
The legendary point guard added that wearing the national jersey remains a profound privilege and responsibility as they chase another gold medal.
Chasing a twelfth world title
Head coach Kara Lawson will lead a remarkably young group featuring four 24-year-olds and seven players under the age of 30.
Chelsea Gray is the oldest member of the squad at 33 years of age.
“These 12 have earned it through their play and their consistency,” stated Lawson.
The American outfit will be aiming to secure the program’s 12th World Cup gold medal and their fifth consecutive global title.
Injury gambles and qualifying success
Kelsey Plum and Napheesa Collier have both been included despite missing significant portions of the current domestic season through injury.
Plum has only managed 14 appearances during the campaign while managing a lingering lower leg issue.
However, the selection committee was heavily influenced by a flawless undefeated record during the qualifying tournament in March.
The former Iowa standout, Clark, was named Most Valuable Player during those qualifiers, cementing her place on the plane to Germany.