Latest news with #KylePhillips
Yahoo
23-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Game 7 memories from stars and celebs: Kobe Bryant stands out
A police officer waves a flag before Game 7 of the NBA Finals basketball series between the Indiana Pacers and the Oklahoma City Thunder Sunday, June 22, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings) Thunder Girls dancers lead a parade of fans to the arena before Game 7 of the NBA Finals basketball series between the Indiana Pacers and the Oklahoma City Thunder Sunday, June 22, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings) Fans cheer before Game 7 of the NBA Finals basketball series between the Indiana Pacers and the Oklahoma City Thunder Sunday, June 22, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Kyle Phillips) Fans cheer before Game 7 of the NBA Finals basketball series between the Indiana Pacers and the Oklahoma City Thunder Sunday, June 22, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Kyle Phillips) A police officer waves a flag before Game 7 of the NBA Finals basketball series between the Indiana Pacers and the Oklahoma City Thunder Sunday, June 22, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings) Thunder Girls dancers lead a parade of fans to the arena before Game 7 of the NBA Finals basketball series between the Indiana Pacers and the Oklahoma City Thunder Sunday, June 22, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings) Fans cheer before Game 7 of the NBA Finals basketball series between the Indiana Pacers and the Oklahoma City Thunder Sunday, June 22, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Kyle Phillips) OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Game 7 of the NBA Finals on Sunday night had a number of sports celebrities — from outside the basketball world, even — thinking of one player. Kobe Bryant. Bryant played in only one Game 7 of a finals, that coming in 2010, but for plenty in the sports world his 23-point, 15-rebound effort that led the Los Angeles Lakers to an 83-79 win over the Boston Celtics for his fifth and final championship still stands out as the quintessential moment from ultimate games. Advertisement The NBA asked celebrities and star athletes what Game 7 makes them think of, and some of the responses got right to the point. 'Kobe,' soccer legend David Beckham said. 'What do I think?? I think Lakers 2010 — Pau (Gasol) and Kobe," tennis star Carlos Alcaraz said. Another tennis great, Novak Djokovic, said he thought of Lakers-Celtics in 2010 and the Cleveland-Golden State finale where LeBron James and Kyrie Irving came up big late for the Cavaliers in 2016. 'I'm thinking about electric atmosphere on the stands, no one is seated for the whole game,' Djokovic said. 'I'm thinking about Kobe and Gasol stellar performance in Game 7 of 2010 Lakers-Celtics and I'm thinking about LeBron's block and Irving's 3 pointer to seal the deal for Cavs vs Warriors Game 7 in 2016 thriller.' Advertisement Cavs-Warriors 2016 another memory Part of the lore of the Cleveland-Golden State finale in 2016 wasn't just James getting a chase-down block against the Warriors' Andre Iguodala in the final moments. It was also ABC announcer Mike Breen's description of the call. Tennis player Ben Shelton and Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua both remembered Breen's line perfectly: 'Blocked by James,' they both responded. Other quotes A selection of other responses collected by the NBA: 'Where legends are born.' — tennis' Frances Tiafoe. 'This is basketball, the game that everybody wants to watch. Can't wait !!!!!!!' — soccer star Kylian Mbappé. Advertisement ''All eyes.' It's my stage.' — Colorado football coach and former NFL and MLB star Deion Sanders. 'GOAT TIME.' — NFL legend Jerry Rice. 'When I hear the words Game 7, I automatically think of the epic and legendary 3-pointer that Ray Allen made in Game 6 to force Game 7, where my Miami Heat team went on to win the NBA Finals championship.' — rapper Flo Rida. 'It's About to Go Down!!! Who will become legend? MJ, Kobe, Bron ... who's next?' — Cedric the Entertainer. 'Control what you can control mentality! I just wanted to make sure I did all the little things for my team.' — Hall of Famer Dwyane Wade. Advertisement 'Everything you ever worked on and worked for is all in this one moment. Take it play by play ... leave it all on the court.' — former Heat guard Mario Chalmers. 'Play into the emotion. Don't expect fair. Expect the unimaginable.' — Cleveland's Iman Shumpert, part of the 2016 Cavs win. ___ AP NBA:
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Russell Westbrook won't exercise $3.5 million option for next season, AP source says
Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook (4) defends against a shot by Oklahoma City Thunder's Cason Wallace (22) in the first half of Game 7 in the Western Conference semifinals of the NBA basketball playoffs, Sunday, May 18, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Kyle Phillips) Denver Nuggets' Russell Westbrook, right, talks with Oklahoma City Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, left, after Game 7 in the Western Conference semifinals of the NBA basketball playoffs, Sunday, May 18, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Kyle Phillips) Denver Nuggets' Russell Westbrook (4) stands on the court late in the second half of Game 7 in the Western Conference semifinals of the NBA basketball playoffs against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Sunday, May 18, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Kyle Phillips) Denver Nuggets' Russell Westbrook (4) stands on the court late in the second half of Game 7 in the Western Conference semifinals of the NBA basketball playoffs against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Sunday, May 18, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Kyle Phillips) Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook (4) defends against a shot by Oklahoma City Thunder's Cason Wallace (22) in the first half of Game 7 in the Western Conference semifinals of the NBA basketball playoffs, Sunday, May 18, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Kyle Phillips) Denver Nuggets' Russell Westbrook, right, talks with Oklahoma City Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, left, after Game 7 in the Western Conference semifinals of the NBA basketball playoffs, Sunday, May 18, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Kyle Phillips) Denver Nuggets' Russell Westbrook (4) stands on the court late in the second half of Game 7 in the Western Conference semifinals of the NBA basketball playoffs against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Sunday, May 18, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Kyle Phillips) Russell Westbrook will not be exercising his $3.5 million player option with the Denver Nuggets for next season and will instead become a free agent, a person with knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press on Friday. The decision doesn't necessarily mean that Westbrook won't be back with the Nuggets, said the person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because neither side revealed the decision publicly. Advertisement NBA reporter Marc Stein first reported Westbrook's decision, which was later confirmed by ESPN and The Denver Post, among others. Westbrook averaged 13.3 points, 4.9 rebounds and 6.1 assists for the Nuggets this season — his 17th in the NBA — and helped Denver reach the second round of the playoffs, falling in seven games to eventual Western Conference champion Oklahoma City. He underwent surgery after the season to repair multiple ligament tears in his right hand, an issue he played through during the season. At that time, Westbrook posted in his newsletter than he was 'grateful for everyone's support all year and I can't wait to be back out there at 100% soon. The comeback is already in motion.' That would indicate that he is planning to play somewhere next season. Advertisement Westbrook is a nine-time All-Star, nine-time All-NBA selection and won the MVP award after the 2016-17 season. He's also part of the NBA's 75th anniversary team and has averaged 21.2 points and eight assists per game over his career. ___ AP NBA:
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Record-breaking viewership and attendance mark historic Women's College World Series
Texas pitcher NiJaree Canady throws during the third game of the NCAA softball Women's College World Series finals against Texas in Oklahoma City, Friday, June 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Kyle Phillips) Texas' Adayah Wallace, front, and Kayden Henry, back, celebrate after winning the Women's College World Series softball championship against Texas Tech in Oklahoma City, Friday, June 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Kyle Phillips) The Texas Longhorns softball team celebrates after defeating Texas Tech 10-4 to win the Women's College World Series championship in Oklahoma City, Friday, June 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Kyle Phillips) The Texas Longhorns softball team celebrates after defeating Texas Tech 10-4 to win the Women's College World Series championship in Oklahoma City, Friday, June 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Kyle Phillips) Texas pitcher NiJaree Canady throws during the third game of the NCAA softball Women's College World Series finals against Texas in Oklahoma City, Friday, June 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Kyle Phillips) Texas' Adayah Wallace, front, and Kayden Henry, back, celebrate after winning the Women's College World Series softball championship against Texas Tech in Oklahoma City, Friday, June 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Kyle Phillips) The Texas Longhorns softball team celebrates after defeating Texas Tech 10-4 to win the Women's College World Series championship in Oklahoma City, Friday, June 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Kyle Phillips) OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — The Women's College World Series has set viewership and attendance records. ESPN said in a news release that the average of 1.3 million viewers across 15 games on its platforms was the most-watched World Series ever, surpassing the record set in 2021. Advertisement Game 3 of the championship series, Texas' 10-4 win over Texas Tech for its first national title, was ESPN's most watched NCAA softball game ever with 2.4 million viewers. The previous high was 2.3 million for the 2007 Game 3 between Arizona and Tennessee. Games 1 and 2 both set championship series records with 2.1 million viewers each. Overall World Series viewership was up 24% from last year. Among non-championship games, the UCLA-Tennessee game on June 1 pulled in 2.2 million viewers with a peak of 3.9 million to deliver the best non-Finals WCWS game of all time. Tennessee's 5-4 win marked the best audience for a WCWS game in a decade. Oklahoma City's Devon Field, the site that will host softball at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, hosted the most-attended World Series ever dating back to the first one in 1982. In all, 119,778 fans attended, with a session average of 11,978. Advertisement There were three session attendance records, including for the decisive Game 3 of the championship series. Session 4, which included Texas's 4-2 win over Oklahoma and Texas Tech's 3-1 victory over UCLA, set the record for any session with 12,595 fans. The numbers come on the heels of the new Athletes Unlimited Softball League's partnership with Major League Baseball. The attention was heightened for several reasons. Texas is the nation's second-largest state by population, and two teams from there played in the championship series. Texas and Texas Tech earned attention by beating Oklahoma, which had won four straight national titles. And Texas Tech pitcher NiJaree Canady, who signed a $1 million-plus NIL deal before the season and another during the World Series, got the Red Raiders to the final. ___ AP sports:
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Will you support our consistent coverage of the Oklahoma Legislature?
Members of the Oklahoma Legislature listen as Gov. Kevin Stitt gives his State of the State Address in the House chamber of the state Capitol on Feb. 3, 2025. (Photo by Kyle Phillips/For Oklahoma Voice) The legislative session has come to an end, and our team at Oklahoma Voice has been on the ground at the Capitol every step of the way. We dug into the budgetary disarray at the state's mental health department. We explained the controversy surrounding the state's new social studies standards. We analyzed the impact of a measure that could affect citizens' ability to place items on the ballot. And more! From covering key policy debates to breaking down what new laws mean for you, we're here to ensure that all Oklahomans can stay informed about what their elected officials are doing. This journalism is free for you to read, but it isn't free for us to produce. If you can, consider supporting our nonprofit newsroom today. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Thank you for being a part of this work. Every gift, no matter the size, supports our mission. Janelle Stecklein Editor
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Texas beats Texas Tech 10-4 in decisive 3rd game of WCWS to win its 1st national championship
Texas pitcher NiJaree Canady throws during the third game of the NCAA softball Women's College World Series finals against Texas in Oklahoma City, Friday, June 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Kyle Phillips) Texas pitcher Teagan Kavan reacts after striking out a Texas Tech batter during the third game of the NCAA softball Women's College World Series finals in Oklahoma City, Friday, June 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Kyle Phillips) Texas pitcher NiJaree Canady celebrates after throwing a strikeout during the third game of the NCAA softball Women's College World Series finals against Texas in Oklahoma City, Friday, June 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Kyle Phillips) Texas' Reese Atwood celebrates after the Longhorns score during the third game of the NCAA softball Women's College World Series finals against Texas Tech in Oklahoma City, Friday, June 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Kyle Phillips) Texas pitcher Teagan Kavan throws during the third game of the NCAA softball Women's College World Series finals agaisnt texas Tech in Oklahoma City, Friday, June 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Kyle Phillips) Texas pitcher Teagan Kavan throws during the third game of the NCAA softball Women's College World Series finals agaisnt texas Tech in Oklahoma City, Friday, June 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Kyle Phillips) Texas pitcher NiJaree Canady throws during the third game of the NCAA softball Women's College World Series finals against Texas in Oklahoma City, Friday, June 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Kyle Phillips) Texas pitcher Teagan Kavan reacts after striking out a Texas Tech batter during the third game of the NCAA softball Women's College World Series finals in Oklahoma City, Friday, June 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Kyle Phillips) Texas pitcher NiJaree Canady celebrates after throwing a strikeout during the third game of the NCAA softball Women's College World Series finals against Texas in Oklahoma City, Friday, June 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Kyle Phillips) Texas' Reese Atwood celebrates after the Longhorns score during the third game of the NCAA softball Women's College World Series finals against Texas Tech in Oklahoma City, Friday, June 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Kyle Phillips) Texas pitcher Teagan Kavan throws during the third game of the NCAA softball Women's College World Series finals agaisnt texas Tech in Oklahoma City, Friday, June 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Kyle Phillips) OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Mia Scott hit a grand slam, Teagan Kavan claimed another win and Texas defeated Texas Tech 10-4 in Game 3 of the Women's College World Series championship series on Friday night to win its first national title. Kavan, a sophomore, allowed no earned runs in all 31 2/3 innings she pitched at the World Series. She went 4-0 with a save in the World Series for the Longhorns (56-12). Advertisement Texas Tech star pitcher NiJaree Canady, who had thrown every pitch for the Red Raiders through their first five World Series games, was pulled after one inning in Game 3. She gave up five runs on five hits and only threw 25 pitches. Not even support from former Texas Tech football star Patrick Mahomes and his wife, Brittany, who were in attendance, could put the Red Raiders (54-14) over the top. Texas had lost to Oklahoma in the championship series two of the previous three years. Oklahoma was one of the teams Texas beat on its way to the championship. ___ AP sports:
