On Facebook
On Flipboard
On Twitter
Kevin Durant gives shoutout to L.A. Sparks after impressive season opener
Along with being an all-time talent in the NBA, Kevin Durant is an avid lover of all levels of basketball. While enjoying the downtime of the offseason, the former MVP was among the people adding to the excitement of opening weekend in the WNBA.
When he isn't working on his craft, KD can often be found engaging with fans on social media. On Sunday morning, the Phoenix Suns star fielded a question about the women's game. With the 2025 regular season just getting underway, Durant was asked which teams he'll be keeping a close eye on. Among the teams he shouted out was the new-look Los Angeles Sparks. Other squads that earned a mention included the Seattle Storm, Phoenix Mercury and Washington Mystics.
Seattle, Phoenix, sparks and mystics
— Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) May 18, 2025
It was a busy offseason for the Sparks, as they brought in numerous new faces to try and bolster the roster. Their biggest splash was acquiring three-time All-Star Kelsey Plum. She was traded to L.A. in a multi-team trade that saw Jewell Loyd wind up with the Las Vegas Aces.
As an established star-level talent in the prime of her career, Plum was viewed as someone who could be a leader on and off the court for a young Sparks squad. It did not take long for her to showcase the type of impact she plans on having for her new team.
On Friday night, the Sparks made history as they squared off against the Golden State Valkyries in the new franchise's first official game. LA managed to take care of business, starting the season off in the win column with an 84-67 victory.
A major catalyst in the Sparks' victory was the play of Plum, who shone in her debut. Logging 40 minutes, she tallied 37 points, two rebounds, six assists and five steals.
For the first time in years, Plum has an opportunity to be a heavily featured player in her team's offense. Based on how she performed on Friday, she is eager to showcase her talents in a more prominent role.
Between being a focal point for the Sparks and still being at her peak, all the pieces are in place for Plum to have a career year in L.A.
More must-reads:
- Kelsey Plum, Sparks spoil expansion Valkyries' debut
- Caitlin Clark looks like MVP candidate with triple-double as Fever destroy Angel Reese's Sky
- The '30-point game leaders of the NBA Three-Point Era' quiz
Breaking News
Trending News
TODAY'S BEST
Angels, Orioles fill needs with this surprising trade
The Baltimore Orioles were looking to add a right-handed hitting outfielder during the offseason. The Los Angeles Angels, meanwhile, needed to add talent to a thin pitching staff. A trade between the two teams has begun the process of filling those holes on the roster. The Orioles traded pitcher Grayson Rodriguez to the Angels on Tuesday night. In exchange, the Angels sent outfielder Taylor Ward to Baltimore. This trade may provide a window into the expectations of both teams. Ward is slated to become a free agent after the upcoming season, a win-now move for a team looking to prove that a dismal 2025 showing was an aberration. Rodriguez, meanwhile, is under team control through the 2029 season. Angels, Orioles trade a possible win for both teams In addition to balancing out a lefty-hitting outfield, the 31-year-old Ward gives the Orioles a power element that they were lacking in the lineup. He produced a .228/.317/.475 batting line over 663 plate appearances, hitting 36 homers and 31 doubles. Although Ward is strictly a left fielder at this stage of his career, his powerful bat mitigates his lack of defensive versatility. Rodriguez missed the entire 2025 season due to a myriad of injuries. A consensus top-100 prospect from 2020-23, Rodriguez had begun to live up to expectations in 2024 before a strained right lat ended his season. He posted a solid 3.86 ERA and a 1.243 WHiP over 116.2 innings, striking out 130 batters with 36 walks. Rodriguez underwent elbow surgery in August and is expected to return to the mound in either March or April. This trade may end up as a victory for both sides. Rodriguez gives the Angels a needed starter to slot behind Yusei Kikuchi in the rotation and could establish himself as a top-of-the-rotation arm if he is fully healthy. Ward adds a dangerous power hitter to a solid lineup. Should the Orioles return to the postseason with Ward as a factor, he would be well worth the cost.
Chiefs React to Travis Kelce's Decision on Sunday
Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce continues to make headlines on and off the field. Entering Sunday's Week 11 game against the Denver Broncos, Kelce has been one of the most reliable players on the Chiefs. In nine games this 2025, he has recorded 41 receptions for 540 yards and three touchdowns. He actually leads in the team in receptions and receiving yards and is second in receiving touchdowns. Off the field, the Chiefs tight end has been the subject of plenty of interest due to his relationship with pop star Taylor Swift. Not to mention, he has been growing his personal brand by diversifying his ventures — from going into acting to opening up his own restaurant with teammate Patrick Mahomes. Now, prior to their showdown with the Broncos, Kelce drew plenty of attention again with his off-field decision. The 36-year-old star arrived at Empower Field at Mile High wearing a black blazer with a subtle striped pattern, which he paired with matching pants. What stood out from his outfit were his bags, as he brought a Louis Vuitton Keepall Bandouliere and Horizon 55 that cost over $9,000 combined, per Style By Kelce. Even the Chiefs couldn't help but react to Kelce's outfit, as they shared photos of him on social media. "Find you someone who cleans up like @TKelce," the Chiefs wrote. For what it's worth, fans agreed with the Chiefs' post, taking to the comment section to share their reactions. "He cleans up Nicely," a commenter wrote. Another one said, "He Polishs up real nice!" A fan added, "There’s only one Travis Kelce." "Looking good as usual Travis! Let's go Chiefs! Let's get those Broncos," a supporter remarked. A fifth follower shared, "He always keeps it tidy." Kelce's popularity remains sky-high. That being said, it shouldn't be a surprise that anything he does is talked about.
Steelers' Darnell Washington Makes History After Brutal Run Against Bengals: 'You Have Infamy'
The Pittsburgh Steelers are no stranger to Kyle Brandt's Angry Run award, but it usually goes to a running back, typically Jaylen Warren, or previously, when he was on the roster, Najee Harris. In Week 11 against the Cincinnati Bengals, someone made history, and it was not a running back. It was the 6'7", probably 300-pound tight end, Darnell Washington. During the game, Washington delivered a 31-yard catch and run and bulldozed through the Bengals’ defense. He was a one-man wrecking crew as he overpowered any defender brave enough to try and tackle him. His domination quickly became the talk of the game and left fans in awe of his size, strength, and determination. For the first time ever, Brandt did not have any other finalists for the award. Washington was finalist 1, 2, and 3. His historic performance against the Bengals will live on in football fans’ memories forever, a moment that changed the way people view the Angry Run award. For Steeler Nation, the 2025 season has finally been the year of Washington. "That is Darnell doing Darnell things, way too big of a dude to be running like that," Brandt said. "So I have got Darnell Washington from the Steelers and there it is again. That is the third finalist as Darnell Washington runs over a dude... This was the Godfather trilogy of runs, except he stuck the landing on part three." Not only was it crazy that a tight end was being nominated for the award, he completely stole any running back's chance of even being considered for the Angry Run award. That just shows how dominant Washington’s run truly was on Sunday. Every defender in his path was left in awe. His performance will be remembered as one of the most unstoppable plays of the 2025 season. "A play of three acts," Brandt said. "A play of violence, a tragedy, but also a comedy at the same time. This thing's going to the Steel City. Darnell Washington, you have made history. You have infamy, and you have the scepter. It's going back to where it belongs after an all-time Angry Run. New York, an all-time Angry Run. Boom. See you next week." Steelers fans have been waiting to see this kind of performance from Washington ever since he was drafted 93rd overall by Pittsburgh in the 2023 NFL Draft. Steelers' Darnell Washington Is Tight End 1 Coming out of Georgia, he was known as an elite blocking tight end, but Sunday showed the full extent of his rare combination of speed, size, and sheer strength. When used properly, Washington can be one of the most unique and dominant tight ends in the league. His historic run against the Bengals was a glimpse of his true potential and a reminder of why Steelers fans are so excited about his future. It seems that Washington has now clearly passed tight ends Pat Freiermuth and Jonnu Smith to become the current number one tight end for the Steelers. The Steelers have three elite tight ends on their roster. Now it's up to Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith to continue to find out how to use them properly. Steelers fans, when you saw Darnell Washington bulldozing through Bengals defenders and making those jaw-dropping plays, what was going through your mind in that moment? How did it feel to see him dominate like that on the field?
Joey Logano debuts bold new look at North Carolina groundbreaking ceremony
Three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Joey Logano has done a lot of cool things in his storied career, but jumping over a row of town leaders while in a pickup truck probably wasn’t one he saw coming. Yet that’s just where he found himself on Tuesday afternoon. And in doing so, Logano showed off a fresh new look. He has shaved his head, leaving nothing but a bald dome to go along with a sleek, low-trimmed beard. You can check out the new look for Joey Logano in a screengrab of an Instagram video here. It also includes his big jump. The event on Tuesday was to bring some extra publicity to a new development in Huntersville, N.C. The city is debuting “Town 1,” which officially broke ground on Tuesday. Joey Logano helped share the vision for the project, which will see 75,000 square feet of retail and commercial space constructed. The venture will include a pedestrian-focused village, a five-story Class A office building just off the I-77 HOV exit, 300 modern farmhouse walk-ups, 321 urban flats, 75 townhomes and over 400,000 square feet of commercial space. “Yeah this is going to be awesome,” Joey Logano said in an Instagram video. “This is so neat to see everybody here, the team that it took to create Town 1. And what everyone’s going to see, I can’t wait for it to be done and everyone to come out here and enjoy it and have some fun.” Joey Logano coming off impressive season While not the best season of his career, Logano put together one of the more consistent campaigns. He earned a win at Texas Motor Speedway, while capturing seven top-five finishes and 13 top-10 results. He made it well into the playoff race, eventually finishing seventh in the NASCAR Cup Series standings. He had a strong run late in the playoffs, finishing sixth at Las Vegas, eighth at Martinsville and fourth at Phoenix. In total during his NASCAR Cup Series career, Joey Logano has recorded 37 wins. He has also placed in the top 10 300 times, while he has won 33 pole positions.
Customize Your Newsletter
+
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!
PRIVACY POLICY EDITORIAL POLICY CONTACT US
ABOUT YARDBARKER TERMS OF SERVICE
Use of this website (including any and all parts and
components) constitutes your acceptance of these
Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
This site is for entertainment purposes only.
There is no gambling offered on this site.
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.
