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Kyrie Irving has never been afraid to speak his truth, but his recent comments on his personal Twitch stream may have been his most vulnerable and powerful yet.
While addressing viewers during a live broadcast, the Dallas Mavericks guard opened up about his ongoing recovery, the toll of mental health struggles, and the deep emotional battles he’s faced behind the scenes.
"It is men's mental health awareness, but this is about awareness of your mental health. You know what I'm saying? I'm on here because this is helping me with my mental health as well. You know what I mean?"
"It's getting me out of my comfort zone. It's getting me to create more boundaries with myself. I'm way more driven, you know what I'm saying? And it's helping me heal. If you're just now joining in as well, this stream is helping me heal. That's as simple as I can put it."
"I'm at my house watching the finals going on. I'm recovering from my ACL injury. I could be bogged down. I could be depressed in a way where I don't want to share this with you guys. But this is the raw, unfiltered, uncut stuff that you guys are going to get because you deserve it."
"When I say they, I mean I've allowed people to spin the narrative. I've allowed people to get in my head and do things that, to be honest with you, I shouldn't have been paying attention to. I took advice from the wrong people at times. I allowed people to violate my spiritual boundaries and that led to a spiral of emotions."
"I know what it feels like to feel like you're losing it all and feel like you don't want to be on earth anymore. Please, please, you guys, for Mental Health Awareness Month. I know it's Men's Mental Health Awareness, but this is for every day."
"Please, please, don't stay quiet. Please don't go on your shell. I just wanted to take this time to let you know that I care. Anybody in the chat, please, please reach out to your loved ones. Check in on your loved ones. Check on their mental health. Check on their spiritual health. Check in on them."
"That doesn't mean you've got to reach out every day, but just call. How you doing? I love you, man. I love you. So I love each and every one of you guys. Thank you for the support."
Kyrie Irving on Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month:
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) June 15, 2025
“I’m watching the Finals, recovering from my ACL injury—I could be bogged down or depressed. But I’m sharing this unfiltered because you deserve it. I let people spin narratives, get into my head, violate my spiritual… pic.twitter.com/mYlhkI3mLE
Irving tore his ACL in March 2025, a devastating injury that not only ended his season but raised concerns about his availability for the 2025-26 campaign. While early estimates suggest a possible return around the All-Star break, the road to recovery has clearly tested him in more ways than just physically. For Irving, this Twitch stream was more than entertainment; it was therapy.
Irving’s comments come during Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month, a period where vulnerability, healing, and openness are encouraged, particularly in spaces where those conversations are often ignored.
For one of the NBA’s most polarizing figures to step forward and share this powerful message, it hits differently. It’s honest. It’s human.
The former NBA champion has had a career filled with brilliance and controversy. From championship glory in Cleveland to turbulent exits from Boston and Brooklyn, Kyrie has seen the highs and lows of fame and scrutiny.
And on his stream, he admitted how outside voices and bad influences have, at times, broken through his mental and spiritual armor.
Yet amid the adversity, Kyrie is focused on healing and encouraging others to do the same. His message to fans was clear: don’t stay silent.
For someone whose on-court magic has captivated millions, it’s this kind of off-court honesty that truly resonates. Kyrie Irving isn’t just recovering from an ACL tear—he’s rebuilding himself. And this time, he's bringing others with him.
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TODAY'S BEST
Jared McCain's return could shake up the 76ers rotation
Jared McCain’s rookie season didn’t end the way it was supposed to. The Sixers guard was turning heads early on and looked like a serious Rookie of the Year candidate, averaging 15.3 points, 2.4 rebounds and 2.6 assists across his first 23 games. He even won Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month in November. But everything came to a halt when he tore the lateral meniscus in his left knee. Just like that, his promising first year was over. For the Sixers, that injury was just one piece of a nightmare season. Joel Embiid missed time, Paul George dealt with nagging injuries and Tyrese Maxey couldn’t carry the whole thing on his own. Philly ended the year with just 24 wins and didn’t even sniff the playoffs. Yet, through all that, McCain had shown real flashes. He played with confidence, poise and a scoring feel that looked way more polished than expected from a rookie. That’s what makes his upcoming return so intriguing. He’s reportedly progressing well in rehab, taking his time but eyeing a full comeback for the 2025-26 season. In the meantime, the Sixers added more youth to the mix. They drafted VJ Edgecombe with the third overall pick — a high-motor two-way guard with a strong frame and a lot of upside. The plan is clearly to build around Maxey, McCain and Edgecombe as the new core in the backcourt. McCain and Edgecombe already seem to have good chemistry. They were spotted hanging out during Summer League, and Edgecombe’s mentioned how excited he is to share the floor with him. It’s not hard to imagine the Sixers trying lineups with both young guards alongside Maxey, especially as Paul George ages and Embiid’s health remains a question. McCain’s role this year is a bit of a mystery. If he looks sharp in training camp, he could easily challenge for a starting spot. At the very least, he should be a key bench piece with a real shot to close games, thanks to his shooting and shot creation. With his ability to stretch the floor and Edgecombe’s slashing and defense, there’s a lot of potential here if things click. The Sixers’ coaching staff will likely take it slow. Coming off a knee injury, McCain won’t be rushed. But there’s a quiet urgency around the franchise after such a bad year. The 76ers need wins, and they need their young guys to step up. That makes McCain’s return one of the biggest stories heading into the new season. If he picks up where he left off, Philly’s backcourt rotation suddenly looks deep and dynamic. Maxey is already an All-Star-level player. Edgecombe is raw but promising. McCain could be the bridge between them — polished enough to produce now, young enough to grow alongside them. Of course, there’s always the possibility he struggles to find his rhythm or needs more time to trust the knee. That’s normal. But if McCain proves he’s back and ready, the Sixers may have found a long-term piece right when they needed one most.
Seattle Storm Get Big Boost for Sky Game Amid Unexpected Angel Reese News
The Seattle Storm are looking to make things right after Tuesday’s 87-63 blowout loss to Paige Bueckers and the Dallas Wings. They get a chance to do so on Thursday when they return to action against the Chicago Sky in a road game at Wintrust Arena. The Storm got a big boost ahead of the Sky matchup, which comes in the form of seven-time All-Star Skylar Diggins returning to action after a one-game absence. After registering the first triple-double in WNBA All-Star Game history on Saturday, Diggins was unable to suit up against Dallas on Tuesday due to personal reasons. The 5-foot-9 guard was not listed on Seattle’s injury report for the Sky game, though, which means that Diggins should be back in the starting lineup come Thursday. This is a crucial development for the Storm, who will be looking to improve on their 14-10 record. In 23 games played this season, Diggins has produced averages of 17.5 points, 2.3 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.5 triples per game. Chicago Sky List Angel Reese as Questionable to Play Against the Seattle Storm While the Storm got some good news ahead of Thursday’s clash, the same cannot be said for the Sky. This is after two-time All-Star forward Angel Reese was added to the injury report with a back problem. The silver lining is that Reese, who missed Chicago’s last game before the All-Star break with a leg injury, is listed as questionable to play, which means that there’s still a chance that she’s able to suit up against Seattle. Reese looked fine on Tuesday as Chicago suffered a 91-68 blowout loss to the Minnesota Lynx, posting an 11-point, 11-rebound double-double. It is unclear exactly when Reese sustained the injury, but it has now placed her status against Seattle in jeopardy. It is worth noting that Michaela Onyenwere (knee) and Ariel Atkins (leg) have also been ruled out for the Storm game, as they continue to recover from respective injuries. This only means that Chicago will be significantly shorthanded on Thursday, especially if Reese also ends up sitting out.
Bengals finally reach agreement with first-rounder Shemar Stewart
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Steelers' Mike Tomlin Shares Excitement Over The TD Pass From Aaron Rodgers To DK Metcalf: 'That's What I Envisioned All Summer'
The Pittsburgh Steelers' training camp has officially begun, and it’s already been full of excitement. Training camp gives fans a first look at how the team’s many new additions are starting to come together on the field. Among those fresh faces, two veterans have already generated a lot of talk for their growing connection, and that's wide receiver DK Metcalf and quarterback Aaron Rodgers. The chemistry between them has caught the attention of fans across the league, and they’re quickly becoming one of the most anticipated quarterback-receiver duos heading into the season. With training camp also comes plenty of media coverage, and it’s been interesting to hear everyone's thoughts, especially with so many changes to the team. During a recent media session, Head Coach Mike Tomlin spoke about a standout touchdown pass from Rodgers to Metcalf. Tomlin couldn’t hide his excitement, sharing that this is exactly what he was hoping for, all while smiling proudly. This play sparked even more excitement, especially given that Rodgers’ very first pass in camp in team drills, which was also intended for Metcalf, was intercepted by linebacker Patrick Queen. This moment got a lot of attention, particularly from those already skeptical of Rodgers. However, he responded calmly, acknowledging that the interception wouldn’t be his last, but there would be plenty of touchdowns too. Just a day later, he backed up that mindset by delivering a highlight-reel play, quickly shifting the narrative in a more positive direction. Others also agreed that the play was worthy of being on a highlight reel. Steelers insider and Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reporter Gerry Dulac shared his take, saying that if the pass from Rodgers to Metcalf had happened during a regular season game, it would have been the talk of the league. He went on to describe the play as "perfect," emphasizing just how impressive it was. "If that were a regular season game, every highlight show in the country would show that play because it was so artistically perfect that you just sit there and you go, 'Wow,'" Dulac said. It’s clear that Rodgers is locked in as the starting quarterback and Metcalf is established as the team’s wide receiver one (WR1). What’s been especially encouraging is how quickly they’ve started building chemistry, and it's something that’s been clear both on and off the field. During training camp, they’ve even been suite mates, giving them even more time to connect with each other. Long before Rodgers officially signed with the Steelers, the two made headlines when they were spotted working out and playing football together, sparking early excitement about their potential as a dynamic duo. The bigger question has been who will step into the WR2 role, and Wide Receivers Coach Zach Azzanni recently confirmed that Calvin Austin III will be the one to take on that spot as training camp gets underway. Rodgers has already started building a connection with Austin through conversations, making it exciting to see how their chemistry will develop on the field. With Metcalf and Austin as targets, and Rodgers' talent and knowledge leading, there’s plenty of hope that the offense will deliver more big plays like the one we’ve already seen, but this time in real games. The Steelers Have Confidence In Rodgers At 41 years old, Rodgers’ age has raised some concerns, but plays like the recent touchdown to Metcalf remind everyone why he’s a likely Hall of Famer and why he’s had such a successful career. The Steelers have made a clear effort to surround him with top talent, adding key weapons throughout the offense to give him every opportunity possible to succeed. With this potentially being Rodgers’ final season in the NFL, it makes watching how the team comes together even more exciting.
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