Yardbarker

Sai Mohan

NBA Writer

A veteran sportswriter based in Portugal, Sai covers the NBA for Yardbarker and a few local news outlets. He had the honor of covering sporting events across four different continents as a newspaper reporter. Some of his all-time favorite athletes include Mike Tyson, Larry Bird, Luís Figo, Ayrton Senna and Steffi Graf.

EXPERTISE:

NBA, Tennis, Boxing, Pro Wrestling

Novak Djokovic’s wife reveals his true source of energy: 'People's champion'

In a recent interview with La Nacion, Djokovic's wife, Jelena, spoke of why the tennis icon considers himself a "champion of the common people," not a luminary.

Chet Holmgren seems primed for superstardom

Holmgren is done taking the backseat to anyone.

Spurs' Victor Wembanyama still working on conditioning, knows it's 'not an excuse'

After Thursday's opener, Wembanyama admitted that he was still finding his legs and was nowhere near his peak conditioning level.

Mavericks troll Warriors after Klay Thompson's victorious debut

The NBA is back, and so is the pettiness.

Paolo Banchero joins Michael Jordan in exclusive club

They say Year 3 is when a player with a superstar ceiling truly comes into his own. Paolo Banchero appears to be on schedule.

Putting Buddy Hield's scorching Warriors debut in context

If there's one player who can truly go on "a heater," it's sharpshooter Buddy Hield.

Draymond Green rips Kendrick Perkins for Kawhi Leonard take

Draymond Green and Baron Davis believe Kendrick Perkins was out of line for his recent comments regarding a current NBA player.

Warriors plan to keep breaking NBA tradition after opener

As many as 14 Warriors checked into the opening-night victory against the Blazers on Wednesday night, with a dozen of those players clocking double-digit minutes, and it sounds like that could continue as the season progresses.

Watch: Pistons get technical foul for having six players on the floor

In a gaffe of epic proportions, new Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff trotted out six players on the floor during his team's 115-109 opening night loss to the Pacers on Wednesday.

Pelicans suffer massive injury blow on opening night

Former All-Star guard Dejounte Murray fractured his left hand in his Pelicans debut against the Bulls on Wednesday, per ESPN's Shams Charania. 

For the first time in 11 years, the NBA has a new top earner

Stephen Curry has reportedly surpassed LeBron James as the highest-paid player in the NBA regarding salary and off-court income.

LeBron James sets unwanted, longevity record

When you play as many games as LeBron James, even the negative records are there for the taking.

Former Timberwolves guard worried about new-look team

One former Timberwolves player wasn't thrilled about what he saw from the team on Tuesday night.

Celtics player apologizes for failure to set three-point record

The Celtics tied the Bucks' record for most threes in a game (29) with 8:54 left in the fourth quarter of their 132-109 rout of the Knicks on Tuesday. They were unable to hit one more to break the record.

Five takeaways from JJ Redick's head-coaching debut

JJ Redick's first game as an NBA head coach is in the books. The player-turned-coach had his imprints all over the Lakers' 110-103 victory over the Timberwolves. Here are five takeaways.

Anthony Davis shades LeBron James after opening night win

In his six previous seasons with the Lakers, LeBron James had many historic nights at the team's home venue. When he did it on Tuesday, something was different and his teammate couldn't help but point it out.

World No. 6 leads charge against tennis' new coaching rule

When the International Tennis Federation (ITF) announced the new coaching rule on Monday, many current and former players reacted negatively, suggesting that certain players could gain an unfair advantage.

Betting on themselves: Three NBA youngsters who passed on new deals

Several notable NBA players are betting on themselves to produce big this upcoming season and get paid next year.

Five bold predictions for the 2024-25 NBA season

Happy opening night, basketball fans. Here are five bold predictions ahead of the 2024-25 campaign.

Iga Swiatek loses World No.1 ranking due to controversial WTA rule

Iga Swiatek has lost the World No. 1 ranking to Aryna Sabalenka due to a controversial WTA rule.

LeBron James, Candace Parker question officiating in Game 5 of WNBA Finals

An officiating controversy has marred Liberty's first WNBA championship victory, with some prominent members of the basketball community chiming in.

Kevin Garnett rips Joel Embiid for not playing back-to-backs

As someone who retired in 2016, Kevin Garnett doesn't exactly fall under the "old man yelling at clouds" category. He is as familiar with the modern game as he is with 1980s and 1990s basketball, meaning his perspective can't be deemed antiquated by any means. All of which made his recent opinion on Joel Embiid, and the current generation of NBA players in general, notable.

Karl-Anthony Towns describes wild scenes leading to his trade

In an interview with his new Knicks teammates Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart, Karl-Anthony Towns revealed the frantic moments that led to him learning about the trade. 

World No. 9 American star explains U-turn on retirement

World No. 9 Danielle Collins had intended to retire from tennis after the 2024 season with plans to start a family. However, the American star has changed her mind and will be back on the Tour in 2025.

Novak Djokovic feels 'sorry' for those who want him to retire

Djokovic does not share the same vision for his retirement as some others and feels "sorry" for anyone who thinks he should walk away.