• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Digital Sports Desk

Online Destination for the Best in Boston Sports

  • BOSTON SPORTS
    • Celtics
    • Bruins
    • Red Sox
    • Patriots
  • NFL
    • Super Bowl LX
  • MLB
  • NBA
    • WNBA
    • USA Basketball
  • NHL
  • PGA TOUR
    • LIV GOLF
    • TGL GOLF
  • NCAA
    • NCAA Basketball
      • Big East
      • March Madness
    • NCAA Football
  • SPORTS BIZ
  • BETTING HERO
  • WHILE WE’RE YOUNG

Turner Sports Parts with NBA TV

June 27, 2025 by Digital Sports Desk

ATLANTA – (Wire Service Report) – TNT Sports will relinquish oversight of NBA TV operations, it was announced today by TNT Sports Chair and CEO Luis Silberwasser.

Embed from Getty Images

After a 17-year run with TNT Sports, day-to-day operations will revert to the league on Oct. 1.

“We made several proposals to continue to provide services and operate the NBA TV network and related digital assets,” Silberwasser wrote in a memo to employees of the Warner Bros. Discovery cable unit, in a communique leaked to media. “However, we were unable to agree on a path forward that recognized the value of our expertise, quality content and operational excellence that our fans and partners have come to expect from TNT Sports.”

In July 2024, the league announced a new 11-year agreement with the Walt Disney Company, NBC Universal and Amazon Prime Video to broadcast approximately 75 games on linear television in addition to all national games being available on streaming services.

TNT will continue to generate digital content for the league through Bleacher Report and House of Highlights and maintain editorial control of the Inside the NBA studio show. The highly popular program that features Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, Shaquille O’Neal and Ernie Johnson will be produced at Turner for air on ESPN and ABC during select game broadcasts.

–Field Level Media

Filed Under: NBA, Sports Business Tagged With: NBA TV

Flagg Day

June 25, 2025 by Digital Sports Desk

BROOKLYN – (Wire Service Report) – The Dallas Mavericks selected Duke phenom Cooper Flagg with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.

Embed from Getty Images

The announcement ended a months-long buildup for the 18-year-old Flagg, who had long been projected as the top pick. The only question was which team would get a chance to take him, and the Mavericks earned that opportunity when they won the NBA Draft lottery last month despite 1.8 percent odds.

Flagg figures to quickly provide a new face of the franchise for the Mavericks, who drew ire from their fan base after trading Luke Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers last season.

The 6-foot-8, 221-pound Flagg helped guide Duke to an NCAA FInal Four appearance after averaging 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.4 blocks as a freshman. He won the Wooden Award as the nation’s best player along with taking home other honors including ACC Rookie of the Year and ACC All-Defensive Team.

The Mavericks had the No. 1 overall pick for the second time in franchise history. They also had the top selection in 1981, when they drafted Mark Aguirre out of DePaul.

–Field Level Media

Filed Under: NBA Tagged With: 2025 NBA Draft, Cooper Flagg, NBA, NBA Draft

After Cooper, Who’s Got Next?

June 25, 2025 by Digital Sports Desk

BROOKLYN– (Staff and Wire Service Report) – Here is the challenge for everyone behind the Dallas Mavericks, who will invest the No. 1 pick on purported franchise centerpiece Cooper Flagg: He’s one of one.

Embed from Getty Images

Flagg is the top prospect available Wednesday, but the 2025 NBA Draft pool is not devoid talent.

The San Antonio Spurs pick second. They’re at a fork in the road, equipped with the assets and cap flexibility to choose their own adventure. Victor Wembanyama is already a mainstay in elite player conversations while Stephen Castle, Devin Vassell and Jeremy Sochan round out their youth movement.

The first avenue involves disassembling their young core and surrendering their pick equity in pursuit of premier star power — assuming Giannis Antetokounmpo is amenable to such a pairing. A roster recalibration that prioritizes winning in the immediate term clutters the books with multiple max salary slots. Additionally, it reconciles with the fact that Brian Wright and Co. voluntarily accelerated their timeline by locking down De’Aaron Fox as their lead guard and designated pick and roll ball handler for the foreseeable future.

The second avenue is staying the course. Standing fully behind their current nucleus in hopes of fostering another homegrown superstar to ride shotgun next to Wemby for the long haul. The low cap figure and team control of a burgeoning star on a rookie deal could dovetail nicely into sustained success.

There is no wrong answer. After all, this type of optionality only comes by once in a blue moon.

The history of franchises falling second, or even third, in line for the league’s highest profile, franchise-altering No. 1 picks provides plenty of reassurance. Whether it be Chauncey Billups in 1997, Carmelo Anthony in 2003 or Ja Morant in 2019, the consolation prize in the wake of generational prospects has a glowing track record. 2025 proves to be no different with a three horse race for picks 2 through 4 that requires deep forethought.

Dylan Harper, PG/SG, Rutgers
Ostensibly the best player available at No. 2, Harper is a 6-foot-6 combo guard with the on-ball dynamism to flourish from day one. In many other draft classes, Harper would be No. 1 with a bullet. He has a command of the offense that is beyond his years, dictates pace with dribble creativity, and is capable of carving his way to the rim at will. With Fox and Castle penciled in as San Antonio’s backcourt of the future, the Spurs would need to redistribute the ball handling duties with the addition of Harper. Naturally, Castle would take a back seat. Harper’s long-term upside, compatibility with Wemby, and ability to pierce defenses on or off the ball may be too enticing to pass up.

Airious “Ace” Bailey, SF/SG, Rutgers
Taking away all of the off-court drama and character critique, Bailey is the best fit for a guard-heavy Spurs core. He possesses show-stopping talent that will need to be harnessed accordingly. An unambiguously elite pull-up shooter as well as a 38.7 percent 3-point shooter off the catch, Bailey’s size and skillset on the wing poses to amplify the Fox and Wemby two-man game. He can be weaponized on the second side by attacking closeouts and getting to his spots off the bounce. Additionally, Bailey has the measurables and tools to confront opposing wings defensively. In a streamlined role alongside both a perimeter and interior force, the possibilities are endless.

The trouble is, there’s no chance in the world the Spurs are willing to entertain a half-committed Bailey as the second pick in the draft if the franchise isn’t convinced he’s all in. At this point, how could they be?

V.J. Edgecombe, SG, Baylor
A preternatural athlete with eye-popping verticality and a serviceable jump shot, V.J. Edgecombe is a high-energy two-guard of the plug-and-play variety. He couples striking physical tools with dogged determination on both sides of the ball. V.J. is a highlight factory who runs the floor with abandon and detonates at the rim, complementing Fox’s transition tendencies perfectly. To top it off, Edgecombe is a day-ruining defender at the point of attack as well as away from the ball. If the Spurs see a world where he can dabble in small forward minutes with his 6-4 frame and 6-7 wingspan, he will be in the mix at No. 2.

– Field Level Media

Filed Under: NBA

Angels in the Afternoon

June 25, 2025 by Digital Sports Desk

ANAHEIM – (Staff and Wire Service Report) The Boston Red Sox will send right-hander Richard Fitts to the mound Wednesday afternoon when they visit the Los Angeles Angels for the final contest of a three-game series.

Embed from Getty Images

It will be Fitts’ second career start against the Angels, and he’s undoubtedly hoping it turns out better than his first one.

Fitts (0-3, 4.71 ERA) took the loss when Los Angeles beat host Boston 7-6 on June 2. The Angels hit three home runs during a six-run first inning that night. Fitts exited the game after recording three outs on 39 pitches. He allowed six runs (five earned) and four hits and walked one.

Zach Neto, Mike Trout and Jo Adell hit the first-inning home runs.

Fitts was sent to Triple-A Worcester following that performance. He gave up seven earned runs on 15 hits in 12 innings for Worcester, and was recalled to Boston on Sunday after the Red Sox placed right-hander Hunter Dobbins (strained elbow) on the 15-day injured list.

“I was really focused on what I needed to work on, and the build-up was a big part of that,” Fitts told MassLive. “I was redefining my shapes of my pitches and it feels really good. I feel really confident and feel like I’m in a really good spot.

“I’m here to do whatever they need me to do. I want to pitch and help the team win.”

Fitts will try to prevent the Angels from sweeping the Red Sox. Los Angeles prevailed 9-5 on Monday and won 3-2 in 10 innings on Tuesday.

Christian Moore, the eighth overall pick in last July’s MLB draft, hit two home runs for Los Angeles in Tuesday’s win, which extended Boston’s losing streak to four games. The Angels have a 4-1 record against the Red Sox this season.

Boston is 9-19 in one-run games and 5-9 in extra-inning games. The Red Sox are winless in six extra-inning road games.

“Losing is not fun,” Boston shortstop Trevor Story said. “Winning is fun. We have half the season to play, so to this point we’ve been one game under (.500). I think that’s the frustrating part, is we know how good we can be. We’ve shown flashes of that, but you have to find a way to do it on a more consistent basis.

“We’re gonna stay positive about it,” Story continued. “We’re not gonna give up, I know that. We know the type of team we have and I feel good about us showing that in the second half.”

Neto, the Angels’ starting shortstop, left Tuesday’s game after making an error in the ninth inning. Los Angeles bench coach Ray Montgomery said Neto jammed his right shoulder during a stolen base attempt in the eighth inning.

“It’s feeling good,” Neto said. “I mean, it’s not great. But you know, we’re gonna see how I feel (Wednesday) morning, and hopefully — hopefully — you know, I come (in) feeling great, and be back in the lineup.”

Lefty Yusei Kikuchi (2-6, 3.01) is Los Angeles’ probable starter Wednesday. Kikuchi is 0-3 with a 5.91 ERA in 42 2/3 innings over 10 career appearances against Boston. He allowed three runs in five innings when the Angels beat the Red Sox 4-3 in 10 innings on June 3.

–Field Level Media

Filed Under: Boston Sports, MLB, Red Sox Tagged With: Boston Red Sox, LA Angels, Los Angeles Angels, MLB

The Line Forms Behind Cooper Flagg

June 25, 2025 by Digital Sports Desk

BROOKLYN – A whirlwind four months for the Dallas Mavericks begins anew Wednesday with the launch of the Cooper Flagg era.

Embed from Getty Images

The draft lottery in May turned into an unexpected gift for the Mavericks when they jumped the line of teams with the NBA’s worst records. Against the odds, they went from the playoff play-in tournament to the top of the 2025 NBA Draft.

Embattled Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison, and a fan base miffed by the decision to trade Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers midseason, found immediate optimism.

Not only was there a direct path to land Flagg, his arrival would make him a team centerpiece along with center Anthony Davis, who was acquired from the Lakers in the Doncic deal. Point guard and former Duke product Kyrie Irving is on the mend from a torn ACL but re-upped with a new three-year deal, giving Dallas three No. 1 overall selections at the core of its roster.

Flagg, a 6-foot-9 forward with franchise-altering skill and qualities, is only 18 but often looked like a man among boys in guiding Duke to the Final Four. A combo-forward with ball skills, positional size and boundless versatility, Flagg slots in to a menacing frontline next to Davis and Dereck Lively II, another Duke product.

Flagg was the Wooden Player of the Year in his only college season, averaging 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.4 blocks per game for the Blue Devils.

“Cooper has the kind of talent that can elevate a franchise,” Duke coach Jon Scheyer said of Flagg’s NBA potential.

Flagg left Davis and other U.S. Olympic team members with a strong impression during scrimmages with the team last summer. One of the players raving about Flagg was LeBron James, who said this week on the “Mind the Game” podcast that Flagg couldn’t have picked a better situation to start his NBA career.

“A guy that can do so many different things out on the floor. Can play with the ball, can play without the ball. His jump shot is going to continue to get better. Super athletic, quick second jump,” James said. “And also, he has the benefit, unlike myself, he gets to join a team that’s established with Hall of Fame guys — Klay Thompson, Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving — right off the bat. Hall of Fame coach, Jason Kidd.

“You know, these guys … can give him the whole blueprint while he continues to learn what his blueprint will be. And I think that will be an incredible thing to have that type of presence, that type of leadership, that type of just basketball IQ and knowledge around him every single day from those pieces. So, I think he’s going to be amazing.”

San Antonio had only a 6.3 percent chance of a top two selection when the draft lottery took place but the Spurs also beat the odds. San Antonio has lived in the draft lottery for several years and have hit more often than they’ve missed with Victor Wembanyama, Stephon Castle and Jeremy Sochan selected in the top 10 since 2022.

Rutgers guard Dylan Harper is a favorite to wind up as the next piece of the puzzle in the San Antonio rebuild over in-state option V.J. Edgecombe, who starred in his only season at Baylor and appears destined to play for the Philadelphia 76ers.

“His length is crazy, and I don’t think you can undervalue how important length and athleticism are in the NBA. He’s strong, really has a great court sense,” ESPN analyst Jay Bilas said of Harper. “In my view, he’s the second-best prospect in this draft. He’s a clear choice after Cooper Flagg for the Spurs.”

Either team could be prepared to pull a surprise and commit to another Rutgers product in Ace Bailey, who has raised criticism and concern by refusing to work out in traditional pre-draft sessions.

76ers forward Paul George said this week Bailey is putting his future on the line and taking a senseless risk in trying to dictate his landing spot in the draft.

“You’re not in a position to be making those commands. Make it to the league first,” George said of Bailey’s decision not to work out for teams.

Flagg’s college teammates and fellow freshmen at Duke, sharpshooter Kon Knueppel and 7-footer Khaman Maluach, are likely to find homes in the lottery with two freshman point guards and Texas wildcard Tre Johnson figuring prominently in the top-10 conversation.

Illinois’ Kasparas Jakucionis and Oklahoma’s Jeremiah Fears are natural scorers with playmaking skills attractive to the Charlotte Hornets, Utah Jazz and Washington Wizards, who select Nos. 4, 5 and 6, respectively .

New Orleans has the seventh pick with the Brooklyn Nets, Toronto Raptors and Phoenix Suns rounding out the top 10.

Portland (11th), the Chicago Bulls, Atlanta Hawks and a second pick for the Spurs complete the lottery (non-playoff) picks.

–Field Level Media

Filed Under: NBA Tagged With: 2025 NBA Draft, NBA Draft

Celtics Trade Porzingis

June 24, 2025 by Digital Sports Desk

BOSTON – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – The Boston Celtics are sending Kristaps Porzingis to the Atlanta Hawks as part of a three-team trade also involving the Brooklyn Nets, according to multiple reports on Tuesday.

Embed from Getty Images

Atlanta will receive the 7-foot-2 Porzingis and a second-round draft pick; the Nets get Hawks guard/forward Terance Mann and their No. 22 pick; and the Celtics receive Atlanta forward Georges Niang and a second-rounder, per the report.

The Celtics, who on Monday reportedly sent two-time All-Star guard Jrue Holiday to the Portland Trail Blazers, will be out of the salary cap’s second apron with the trade of the oft-injured Porzingis and save a projected $180 million in tax penalties, ESPN reported.

Boston reportedly is actively involved in trade talks involving multiple players on their roster following star Jayson Tatum’s Achilles tear in the second round of the playoffs.

Porzingis, 29, was an All-Star in 2017-18 with the New York Knicks, who drafted him with the No. 4 overall pick in 2015. Derailed by injuries, he missed the entire 2018-19 season with a torn ACL and has played fewer than 60 games in six of his last seven campaigns.

He missed the start of this past season following offseason ankle surgery. The torn medial retinaculum injury, considered “rare,” occurred during the NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks, which the Celtics won in five games.

Porzingis averaged 19.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.5 blocks and 28.8 minutes in playing in only 42 regular-season games (all starts) last season. He also played in 11 playoff games (seven starts) and averaged 7.7 points, 4.6 rebounds and 21.0 minutes.

For his career, Porzingis averages 19.6 points, 7.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.8 blocks and 30.8 minutes in 501 games (500 starts) for the Knicks (2015-18), Mavericks (2019-22), Washington Wizards (2022-23) and Celtics.

He earned $29.2 million this season and is due to earn $30.7 million in 2025-26.

The Los Angeles Clippers selected Mann in the second round of the 2019 draft.

The Clippers traded Mann to the Hawks on Feb. 6. He averaged 9.8 points, 3.1 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 22.7 minutes in 30 games (one start) for Atlanta — all improvements over his earlier averages in 37 games (12 starts) for Los Angeles.

For his career, Mann, 28, averages 8.1 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 22.1 minutes in 412 games (169 starts) for the Clippers and Hawks.

The Indiana Pacers picked Niang in the second round of the 2016 draft. Niang, who turned 32 on June 17, has averaged 7.4 points, 2.5 rebounds and 17.5 minutes in 544 games (32 starts).

Niang has played for the Pacers (2016-17), Utah Jazz (2017-21), Philadelphia 76ers (2021-23), Cleveland Cavaliers (2023-25) and Hawks, who acquired him on Feb. 6. He averaged 12.1 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 23.0 minutes in 28 games (two starts) for Atlanta.

–Field Level Media

Filed Under: Boston Sports, Celtics, NBA Tagged With: Boston Celtics, Kristaps Porzingis, NBA, NBA Draft

Celtics Trade Holiday; Acquire Simons

June 23, 2025 by Digital Sports Desk

BOSTON – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – The Portland Trail Blazers are reacquiring two-time All-Star guard Jrue Holiday from the Boston Celtics, sending guard Anfernee Simons and two future second-round draft picks to Boston in return, according to multiple reports on Monday night.

Embed from Getty Images

Holiday, 35, who will earn $32.4 million next season, is owed a total of approximately $72 million in 2026-27 and 2027-28, after which his four-year, $134.4 million contract that he signed with the Celtics in April 2024 expires.

Meanwhile, the 26-year-old Simons joins the Celtics on an expiring contract. Per ESPN, the deal saves Boston $40 million in luxury tax payments next season.

In 2023, Portland landed Holiday in a deal with the Milwaukee Bucks for Damian Lillard, then sent the 16-year veteran to Boston and acquired a pair of first-round picks. Holiday never played a game for the Blazers.

Per the report, the Celtics are actively involved in trade talks involving multiple players on their roster following Jayson Tatum’s Achilles tear in the second round of the playoffs.

In his first season with the Celtics, Holiday played an instrumental role in the team’s run to the NBA title, shooting a career-high 42.9 percent from 3-point range in 2023-24 and earning All-Defensive team honors.

Holiday was a first-round pick (No. 17 overall) of the Philadelphia 76ers in 2009. He has career averages of 15.8 points, 6.2 assists, 4.2 rebounds and 1.4 steals with the 76ers (2009-13), New Orleans Pelicans (2013-20), Bucks (2020-23) and Celtics in 1,037 games (956 starts). He won his first NBA title with Milwaukee in 2021 and is a six-time All-Defensive selection.

Simons, 26, was also a first-round selection, picked at No. 24 by the Blazers in 2018. In seven seasons with Portland he posted 15.0 points, 3.3 assists and 2.5 rebounds over 389 games (213 starts). He should fit in with the Celtics’ offensive approach, as he has averaged nearly nine 3-point attempts per game the last three seasons and is a career 38.1 percent shooter from distance.

–Field Level Media

Filed Under: Boston Sports, Celtics, NBA Tagged With: Boston Celtics, NBA, NBA Draft

Thunder Rode to Championship

June 23, 2025 by Digital Sports Desk

OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 29 points, Jalen Williams added 20, and the OKC Thunder became NBA champions by wearing down the Indiana Pacers with a withering defense to pull off a 103-91 win on Sunday night in Game 7.

YouTube player

The NBA championship is the franchise’s first since moving to Oklahoma City for the 2008-09 season and first since winning the 1979 title as the Seattle SuperSonics.

The Thunder forced 23 Pacers turnovers while committing just eight and outscored Indiana 32-10 off turnovers.

The Pacers, who remain without an NBA title, lost star point guard Tyrese Haliburton to a right leg injury in the first quarter, when he scored nine points.

After turning the ball over eight times in a Game 6 blowout loss on the road in the best-of-seven NBA Finals, point guard Gilgeous-Alexander was much better on Sunday night.

The NBA Most Valuable Player this season, Gilgeous-Alexander finished just 8 of 27 from the floor and 2 of 12 from beyond the arc but had 12 assists and just one turnover.

Indiana trailed by as many as 22 points in the fourth quarter but cut the deficit to 12 with less than five minutes left and 10 with just more than two minutes remaining.

But the Pacers couldn’t get any closer.

Chet Holmgren added 18 points for Oklahoma City.

The Thunder took over in the third quarter, using the same suffocating defense that helped them earn the NBA’s best record at 68-14 and pushed them through their playoff run as the favorite to win the crown.

Oklahoma City scored 18 points off eight Indiana turnovers as it outscored the Pacers 34-20 in the third.

The Thunder, whose offense looked out of sort through much of the first half after struggling in a Game 6 loss, also thrived at the other end of the floor.

Oklahoma City didn’t commit a turnover in the third, and Williams scored nine points in the quarter, including hitting a critical 3-pointer during the stretch that put the Thunder ahead for good.

Gilgeous-Alexander spun in the lane, drawing an “oooh” from the home crowd.

But instead of flipping up a shot, as he has done countless times during his MVP season, Gilgeous-Alexander instead flipped to Williams in the corner.

Oklahoma City’s other All-Star quickly fired up a 3-pointer, which bounced high off the rim before draining through, sending the crowd into a frenzy as the Thunder’s lead stretched to nine after back-to-back-to-back Thunder 3-pointers broke a tie.

It could’ve been worse for the Pacers if not for point guard T.J. McConnell, who scored 12 points in the third, hitting six of Indiana’s eight field goals in the frame.

Indiana’s Haliburton started off hot, hitting three 3-pointers in a little more than five minutes to start the game.

But two minutes later, as the Pacers’ point guard was starting to drive outside of the top of the arc, he came crashing to the court and screamed.

The ball popped out to Alex Caruso, who quickly fired to Gilgeous-Alexander, who found Williams streaking up court for a dunk as Haliburton remained crumpled on the ground with a non-contact injury.

After the play, Haliburton was helped off the court. The Indiana star, who suffered a right calf strain in Game 5 but had been playing through it, couldn’t put weight on his right leg as he was helped to the locker room.

Haliburton did not return with what the Pacers classified as a “right lower leg injury.”

On the ABC broadcast, it was reported Haliburton had suffered a torn Achilles.

Even without Haliburton, though, the Pacers kept the game tight, leading by one at halftime and tying the game early in the third before the Thunder began their onslaught.

Bennedict Mathurin led the Pacers with 24 points off the bench. Pascal Siakam and McConnell added 16 each.

The Thunder became the first team to score 100 or more points in an NBA Finals Game 7 since 1988, when the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Detroit Pistons 108-105.

–Field Level Media

Filed Under: NBA Tagged With: 2025 NBA Finals, Game 7, Indiana Pacers, NBA Finals, Oklahoma City Thunder

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander-MVP

June 23, 2025 by Digital Sports Desk

OKLAHOMA CITY – (Wire Service Report) – Named NBA Finals MVP following Oklahoma City’s 103-91 Game 7 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Sunday night, Thunder superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has earned the crown jewel of one of the NBA’s most decorated seasons at only 26 years old.

YouTube player

Gilgeous-Alexander won the regular-season MVP and Finals MVP this season, becoming the ninth player in league history to accomplish that feat and the first since LeBron James in 2012-13 with the Miami Heat.

“It’s hard to believe that I’m part of that group. It’s hard to even fathom that I’m that type of basketball player sometimes,” Gilgeous-Alexander said after Game 7. ” … I’m just glad and happy that my dreams have been able to come true.”

The 6-foot-6 guard was the clear favorite to win the award if the Thunder captured the championship, averaging 30.3 points, 5.6 assists and 4.6 rebounds per game in the seven-game series.

Gilgeous-Alexander had a tough shooting night (8 for 27 from the field) to close out the series in Game 7, but as he’s done all season, he produced from the free-throw line. The league leader in drives made 11 of 12 attempts from the stripe and had his best playmaking performance of the Finals, notching a playoff-career-high 12 assists.

“Coming off of Game 6, I obviously had a lot more turnovers than assists. That’s not a recipe for a win, and I wanted to do whatever it took tonight to get a win,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “Whether that was me playing in space, or it was … some of my teammates open and just trying to make the right basketball play.”

With a record 72 points over his first two career Finals games, Gilgeous-Alexander started hot and never looked back. His 34-point performance in Game 2 to prevent a 2-0 Thunder deficit and 35 in Game 4 to avoid falling down 3-1 kept Oklahoma City step-for-step with a relentless Indiana Pacers team.

The Thunder proved to be equally as tough. They lost consecutive games only twice in the regular season and never lost back-to-back games this postseason.

“We have a team full of competitors, we did what it took this year to be champions, and we deserve this,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “We rose to the moment, here we are.”

The Toronto native won regular-season MVP by leading a 68-win Thunder team — the highest regular-season win total since the 2015-16 Golden State Warriors — and pacing the league in scoring at 32.7 points per game.

Alexander had among the most efficient volume scoring seasons of any guard in NBA history, posting 51.9/37.5/89.8 shooting splits, and was a solid defensive piece on one of the stingiest defenses in recent league history.

The No. 11 overall pick by the Charlotte Hornets in the 2018 draft, Gilgeous-Alexander was traded on draft night to the Los Angeles Clippers. After his rookie season, the Clippers shipped the Kentucky product to Oklahoma City in a package for Paul George, tipping the first domino in what would become one of the league’s most successful rebuilds.

Gilgeous-Alexander was a fringe All-Star caliber player for three seasons, in two of which the Thunder won fewer than 30 games, until he burst into the forefront of the NBA in the 2022-23 season, averaging 31.4 ppg.

Last season, he was the runner-up for MVP while Oklahoma City fell short of a title in a second-round exit.

A year later, Gilgeous-Alexander hoisted the first Larry O’Brien and Finals MVP trophies that Oklahoma City has ever seen.

— Field Level Media

Filed Under: NBA Tagged With: 2025 NBA Finals, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Bradley Wins at 72nd Hole

June 22, 2025 by PGA Tour Brunch

CROMWELL – (Staff Report) – In a 360-degree turnaround on the 72nd and last hole of play at the 2025 Travelers Championship, New England born and bred Keegan Bradley scored a one shot victory over England’s Tommy Fleetwood to win the last of the PGA Tour’s signature Events and a $4 million jackpot.

Embed from Getty Images

Fleetwood missed a 6-foot-eight-inch putt on the 18th hole before Bradley holed a 5-foot-eight-inch putt for the win. Fleetwood began the final round with a three stroke lead over Bradley and Russell Henley in an attempt to win on USA soil for the first time. Fleetwood is an eight-time winner on the European Tour.

Fleetwood started slowly, playing the first four holes with a three over par score but he maintained his lead. The pressure mounted for the final three holes and Fleetwood bogeyed two of those three – No. 16 and No. 18 – and finished (-14) while Bradley birdied No. 15 and No. 18 to finish (-15) for the victory which provided him with 700 FedEx Cup points.

The 700-point haul vaulted Bradley to No. 8 in the FedEx Cup year-long standings. Fleetwood earned 375 points for his T-2 and is No. 10 on the FedEx Cup point list.

Scottie Scheffler, the world No. 1 and FedEx Cup point leader for 2025, finished T-6 and earned 375 points. After shooting (62) in the opening round on Thursday, Scheffler struggled in the wind on Friday (69, 1-under) and Saturday (72, +2 over).

Henley finished tied for second place with Fleetwood while Jason Day and Harris English finished T-4. Harris was among five players to shoot (65) on Sunday. US Open champion J.J. Spaun carded a (63) in his final round and finished T-14.

Bradley was greeted by his entire family after sinking the winning putt in front of a pro-New England and USA crown at TPC River Highlands, just south of Hartford, Connecticut. Bradley was born in Woodstock, Vermont, and grew up in nearby Hopkinton, Massachusetts, often attending the very tournament he’s now won twice.

Filed Under: Boston Sports, PGA TOUR Tagged With: Keegan Bradley, PGA Tour, The Travelers, Travelers Championship

  • « Go to Previous Page
  • Page 1
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Page 54
  • Page 55
  • Page 56
  • Page 57
  • Page 58
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Page 290
  • Go to Next Page »

Primary Sidebar

NBA & NHL Playoffs Desk

Loading RSS Feed
Loading RSS Feed

Trending on Sports Desk

2023 NBA Playoffs Baltimore Orioles Basketball Hall of Fame Big East Big East Basketball Big East Tournament Boston Bruins Boston Celtics Boston College Boston Red Sox Buffalo Bills FedEx Cup Playoffs Fenway Park Houston Astros Kansas City Chiefs LIV Golf March Madness MLB MLB Postseason NBA NBA Finals NCAAB NCAA Basketball NCAAF New England Patriots New York Yankees NFL NFL Playoffs NFL Thursday Night Football NHL PGA Tour PGA Tour Brunch Red Sox Sports Biz Sports Business St. John's Texas Rangers The Masters TL's Sunday Sports Notes TL Sunday Sports Notes Toronto Blue Jays UConn USA Basketball While We're Young Ideas World Series

Twitter

Facebook

Comments Box SVG iconsUsed for the like, share, comment, and reaction icons
Author Avatar
DigitalSportsDesk.com
2 weeks ago

The Association Launches New NBA Basketball School Türkiye 🏀🏀🏀

... See MoreSee Less

Link thumbnail

New: NBA Basketball School Türkiye - Digital Sports Desk

digitalsportsdesk.com

For us at Globalist Sports, working with the NBA Basketball School represents an opportunity to bring world‑class standards, structure, and ambition to youth basketball in Türkiye, said Devrim Kıv...
View on Facebook
· Share
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
View Comments likes 0 Shares: 0 Comments: 1

1 CommentsComment on Facebook

Author Avatar
DigitalSportsDesk.com
3 weeks ago

Sox Clean House ... See MoreSee Less

Sox Clean House
View on Facebook
· Share
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
View Comments likes 0 Shares: 0 Comments: 0

0 CommentsComment on Facebook

Author Avatar
DigitalSportsDesk.com
4 weeks ago

To Oscar - The Holy Hand of 🏀

... See MoreSee Less

Link thumbnail

TL's Sunday Sports Notes | On Oscar - Digital Sports Desk

digitalsportsdesk.com

“The Boston Marathon is to a runner as Red Rocks is to a Rock n’ Roll band.” - TL “The Boston Marathon is to a runner as Red Rocks is to a Rock n’ Roll band.” - TL
View on Facebook
· Share
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
View Comments likes 0 Shares: 0 Comments: 0

0 CommentsComment on Facebook

Author Avatar
DigitalSportsDesk.com
2 months ago

Sunday Sports Notes - If you like it, subscribe at Substack - TL's Sunday Sports and/or PGATourBrunch

... See MoreSee Less

Link thumbnail

TL's Sunday Sports Notebook | Mar 29 - Digital Sports Desk

digitalsportsdesk.com

Somehow, the Blue Devils are connected to the basketball gods. Somehow, the Blue Devils are connected to the basketball gods.
View on Facebook
· Share
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
View Comments likes 0 Shares: 1 Comments: 0

0 CommentsComment on Facebook

Author Avatar
DigitalSportsDesk.com
2 months ago

Welcome to Boston (on a beautiful, cold, overcast, freezing, freezing-rain meets snow flakes day). The 20th rendition of this conference is beginning as I type with the Opening remarks by conference co-founders Daryl Morey (Phil 76ers) and Jessica Gelman (Kraft Analytics). ... Here's a preview:

... See MoreSee Less

Link thumbnail

MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conf '26 - Digital Sports Desk

digitalsportsdesk.com

The influx of ESPNers improved the conference make up, including everything from moderating panels to in-depth interviews conducted on stage. The influx of ESPNers improved the conference make up, inc...
View on Facebook
· Share
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
View Comments likes 0 Shares: 0 Comments: 0

0 CommentsComment on Facebook

Load more

The Custom Facebook Feed plugin

Digital Sports Desk

May 2026
S M T W T F S
 12
3456789
10111213141516
17181920212223
24252627282930
31  
« Apr    

Digital Sports Desk: Copyright © 2026
www.digitalsportsdesk.com