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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
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Dallas Wings Make Paige Bueckers Decision After 18th Loss of the Season
The Dallas Wings had a lot of momentum entering Friday’s matchup against the Golden State Valkyries. This is after Paige Bueckers and Co. blew out the Seattle Storm on Tuesday, 87-63, in their first game back following the WNBA All-Star break. The Wings, however, came crashing back down to earth on Friday with a disappointing loss to the Valkyries at Chase Center, 86-76. Paige Bueckers Comes Up Big for the Wings Bueckers did all she could for Dallas in this one, dropping a team-high 17 points on 7-of-15 shooting, to go along with one rebound, six assists, four steals and two triples in 37 minutes of action. While Bueckers’ effort ultimately came up short, the Wings took to social media shortly after the loss to announce the team’s decision to name the rookie as the Player of the Game. “Paige is your @childrens Player of the Game tonight ” the team posted on X. Bueckers' Effort Not Enough for the Wings Bueckers has been one of the most consistent players on the roster for the Wings amid what has been another forgettable season. Entering Friday’s matchup, the 23-year-old has averaged 18.2 points on 44.9% shooting, 4.0 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 1.7 steals in 34.5 minutes per contest. Nevertheless, Dallas has still struggled mightily this year, and Thursday’s defeat was their 18th loss of the campaign. They are now 7-18 on the season and are sitting at the second-to-last spot in the league, above only the 3-20 Connecticut Sun. The Wings will be back in action in a tough back-to-back set as they battle the Las Vegas Aces on Sunday, followed by a matchup against the defending champions, the New York Liberty, on Monday.
Nick Saban responds to speculation about coaching return amid NFL rumors
Shortly after former Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback and current college football analyst Greg McElroy shared that someone "in the know" believes there's a possibility Nick Saban — who retired in January 2024 — might return to coaching, NFL insider Albert Breer suggested that the Dallas Cowboys could be a potential destination for the seven-time national champion. According to Mike Rodak of 247Sports, Saban was asked during a Friday appearance on Fox News if he intends to come out of retirement. "No, I'm really happy with what I'm doing right now," Saban responded. "It's exciting to still be involved in the game. It's exciting for me to work with athletic directors, conference commissioners, people in Congress to preserve the integrity of our game and continue to be able to create opportunities to help young people create value for their future that will help them be successful in their life, which is what we always try to do as a coach." Saban, now working as an ESPN analyst, will be 74 in October. Per Christian Datoc of the Washington Examiner, President Donald Trump could consider having Saban "lead a new commission examining problems arising with the growth of name, image, and likeness (NIL) rights and coinciding changes to the NCAA transfer process." Meanwhile, it's thought that Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones could look to hire a big-name candidate if first-year head coach Brian Schottenheimer fails to impress during the 2025 campaign. Additionally, Fox Sports personality Colin Cowherd recently hinted that Saban could be interested in becoming the head coach of the Cleveland Browns if the team selects Texas quarterback Arch Manning as the first pick in the 2026 draft. "There is no opportunity that I know of right now that would enhance me to go back to coaching," Saban added during Friday's segment. "I enjoy what I'm doing. I did it for 50 years. I loved it. I loved the relationships with the players. I loved the competition. But it's another station of life now. I enjoy what I'm doing right now and want to continue to do it — spend more time with my family, my grandchildren, my children. It's been really, really good." The "right now" portion of Saban's comments attracted the attention of Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio, who was quick to point out he did not say "no for good" regarding a return to coaching. In short, it seems that rumors about Saban's future could hover over the college and pro football communities through at least the rest of the year.
Bengals finally reach agreement with first-rounder Shemar Stewart
The Cincinnati Bengals have finally reached an agreement with first-round pick Shemar Stewart, putting an end to what became the story of the offseason for the team. Stewart, drafted 17th overall in this year's draft, has finally agreed to a four-year, fully guaranteed $18.97 million deal that includes a $10.4 million signing bonus, according to his agent Zac Hiller of LAA. Now with this deal done, every first-round pick is signed. The road to this deal was a bumpy ride. For months, negotiations between Stewart’s camp and the Bengals front office stalled due to disagreements over contract language, particularly around guarantees. The team pushed to include contract language that could void the deal under certain off-field circumstances, but since other Bengals first-round picks did not face similar terms, Stewart stood firm and refused to sign. Both sides remained firm throughout the offseason, leading to a long standoff and a lot of reports of frustration from both sides. Despite the frustration and disagreement, the Bengals and Stewart’s group continued to engage in conversations, trying to find a resolution to the issue. And finally, after weeks of back and forth and weeks of controversy surrounding what Stewart may be forced to do, both parties appear to have met in the middle and found common ground. For the Bengals, getting Stewart signed and ready for training camp is a major win. Stewart was viewed as a developmental prospect who needed plenty of on-field reps to reach his full potential. Stewart's absence from earlier camps had slowed a lot of his progress. With the contract dispute resolved, he can now focus entirely on gaining important reps and continuing his development over the coming weeks. Now with this contract done and over with, the team can put their full focus on Trey Hendrickson, who is also seeking a long term deal. If the Bengals can get a deal done with Trey before the season kicks off, they would secure their edge-rushing room for not only 2025, but for years beyond. For a team looking to go all in on making the playoffs, signing Stewart was long overdue. Now it will be vital for the team to get Stewart up to speed with the rest of the roster, and allow him to get as many reps as possible before the 2025 season begins.
76ers unexpectedly waive veteran guard despite career season
The Sixers are waiving Ricky Council IV, the team announced in a press release. Council signed a four-year, partially guaranteed deal with the Sixers in 2024, which contained a team option for the 2026-27 season. Last season, he averaged 7.3 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 17.1 minutes per night — all career-high numbers. Kyle Neubeck of PHLY Sports notes that the timing of the move was unexpected, given that Council’s guarantee date is on Jan. 10, 2026, and the team currently has an open roster spot if they need it to add restricted free agent Quentin Grimes. While Council struggled with his three-point shot last season, he emerged as a reliable depth contributor, playing a team-high 73 games while bringing athleticism and energy from the wing positions.
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