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San Francisco Chronicle
26-05-2025
- Sport
- San Francisco Chronicle
Valkyries' Kayla Thornton returns to site of her greatest WNBA success
NEW YORK — Kayla Thornton 's New York Liberty chapter will officially close Tuesday night. The now- Golden State Valkyries forward will get her championship ring seven months after winning her first career title, and five months after she learned she would spend her 13th WNBA season in the Bay Area. Over the first three games in franchise history, Thornton has quietly been the Valkyries' most consistent player. She notched the team's first-ever double-double in the win over Los Angeles on Friday with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Amid the excitement around the early performances from rookies Janelle Salaün and Carla Leite, Thornton's solid start to her Valkyries tenure has gone less noticed. One of the Liberty's key playoff pieces a season ago, Thornton makes her first return to Brooklyn since she was selected by the Valkyries in the expansion draft this week as Golden State plays two against the defending champs. The Valkyries are playing better than many expected and Thornton's stability has been a big reason why. 'I don't change who I am,' she told the Chronicle on Monday. 'My role is different, but I'm the same person as if I was in New York playing the role I was playing. Being back here now, it is emotional, but I gotta bottle that up. It's time to get to business.' An undrafted free agent out of Texas-El Paso, Thornton leads the Valkyries (2-1) with 30.5 minutes per contest and 6.3 rebounds and is second with 12.7 points per game, behind just Salaün, who has played in two games. She is also second with 2.3 steals per game and her 91.7 offensive rating is third-best on the team of players who have played in every contest, while her 91.5 defensive rating trails just Leite, even with Thornton's 12 more minutes per game. Valkyries general manager Ohemaa Nyanin helped build the Liberty championship team as their assistant general manager. She was on staff when New York traded for Thornton, and knew how she would fit in with what she wanted to build with the expansion club. 'I knew I had a very big responsibility because I understood what I was taking her from, I didn't take the decision lightly,' Nyanin said. 'I didn't speak to her prior to the decision, and just kind of hoped that she would be able to see the vision that I had for her and that we had for her more specifically, and to be able to see her on a billboard, whether it be in the NBA All Star Game, for her to shoot the first shot and have her first double-double in our colors together to see her smile, to see her right now be totally locked into everything that we are throwing at her has been a huge blessing.' The 32-year-old was last a full-time starter in 2023, when she started 35 games while averaging 8.0 points and 5.9 rebounds per game with Dallas. She took on a bench role and the Liberty acquired her before the 2023 season, when Thornton started 11 games but was a key defender and 3-point shooter off the bench. 'We love KT,' said Liberty head coach Sandy Brondello. 'We knew we were gonna lose someone in the expansion draft, and no surprise that's who they took because she's such a great culture person, great leader and competes at such a high level. She's loved here. We certainly miss her, but we're excited that she gets this great opportunity to lead a new team.' Her 3-point game has been the only thing missing so far this season as she has opened 3-for-23 from range. Last season, she shot a career-best 35.7% from distance on a career-high 126 shots. Thoronton's defense, though, is what earned her big postseason minutes. She played 20:32 off the bench in the Liberty's Game 5 overtime win over Minnesota last season. 'We love her here,' said Liberty guard and Walnut Creek native Sabrina Ionescu on Monday. 'We know what she brought to our team, and we're excited that she's kind of been killing it in her role on her new team.' Like they are of many players, the Valkyries are asking for a lot from Thornton to step out of a specific role and into a leadership position. Through three games, she's embraced the larger responsibility and challenge going from a championship bench threat to a key cog of an expansion team. 'It's mixed emotions,' she said 'The last thing I remember doing (at the Liberty practice facility) is taking pictures with the trophy. It's joy and sadness, but looking at everything (the Liberty) did and everything we're doing now.'
Fox News
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Luka Doncic Honors Kobe Bryan by Restoring Mural
Luka Doncic donates to restore a mural honoring Kobe Bryant and his family and NBA Commissioner Adam Silver reconsiders the All-Star Game format. #NBA #Lakers #LALakers #LosAngelesLakers #NBAAllStarGame Learn more about your ad choices. Visit Jeffrey Petz
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Cavaliers React to NBA's Evan Mobley Announcement
The No. 1 seed Cleveland Cavaliers took care of business at home in the first two games of their first-round playoff series against the No. 8 seed Miami Heat, jumping out to a 2-0 lead with two convincing wins at Rocket Arena. The Cavaliers cruised through the 2024-25 regular season, notching a 64-18 record and securing the team's first No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference since 2015-16. Advertisement Several Cleveland players contributed to the team's success, including fourth-year power forward Evan Mobley. The first-time NBA All-Star finished the year averaging 18.5 points, 9.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.6 blocks and 0.9 steals per game. On Thursday, Mobley was announced as the NBA's 2024-25 Defensive Player of the Year. "The 2024-25 Kia NBA Defensive Player of the Year is... Evan Mobley!" the NBA wrote on X. The Cavaliers reacted to this news with a post on social media. "YOUR 2024-25 DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR, EVAN MOBLEY," the team wrote on X. Mobley is the first Cavalier in franchise history to win Defensive Player of the Year. "I feel like this year, how I've been playing, it definitely deserves Defensive Player of the Year," Mobley said after winning the award. "... I just go out there and play my brand of basketball, try not to talk to much. Shout out to my guys for supporting me always. Defensive wins championships." 'It was a big goal of mine coming into this year,' Mobley added when presented with the award on TNT '... I was focused on it most of the year. It just feels great to finally come and get this award.' Team Cavs center Evan Mobley (4) and guard Donovan Mitchell (45) of the Cleveland Cavaliers celebrate with the trophies after winning the skills challenge during All Star Saturday Night ahead of the 2025 NBA All Star Game at Chase Center.© Kyle Terada-Imagn Images Mobley claimed this year's Defensive Player of the Year award over fellow finalists Draymond Green and Dyson Daniels. The Cavaliers will tipoff against the Heat in Game 3 on Saturday afternoon.
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Masters golf ad prompts outrage over Noah Kahan's 'Georgia on My Mind' cover: Here's why
Masters golf ad prompts outrage over Noah Kahan's 'Georgia on My Mind' cover: Here's why A new ESPN promotional video for the 2025 Masters meant to boost excitement for the golf tournament has instead created outrage over its music choice. While the Ray Charles classic tune "Georgia on My Mind" has been used for the annual ad campaign for six years straight, ESPN has now opted to use a cover of the song by New England singer Noah Kahan. "From today until the day we pull into the gates of Augusta National. Promise Georgia will be on my mind," Kahan, 28, told ESPN in a behind-the-scenes video on the cover creation. Noah Kahan before the celebrity game ahead of the 2025 NBA All Star Game in Oakland, California on Feb 14, 2025. However, the response has been anything but positive with many people, including some Kahan fans, frustrated by ESPN's decision not to use Charles' 1960 version. Advertisement "I am speaking as someone who really enjoys Noah Kahan's music when I say this. This edit blows. Please delete it from existence," one X user wrote. People frustrated by Kahan's lack of southern roots ESPN Vice President of Live Sports and Audience Expansion Rachel Epstein said decision to use a Kahan cover this year stemmed from a plan to attract younger viewers to the golf tournament, according to Marketing Brew. "We're always going to be fairly traditional and reverent in terms of how we visually showcase the tournament," Epstein told the outlet. "But just knowing that the Masters—certainly Augusta National and ESPN—are constantly looking to engage and reach younger audiences, music just felt like this important and powerful device that we could use…to engage and be relevant with younger audiences." Advertisement Yet the feedback on social media has primarily been negative, with many upset the network switched to a singer with no roots in Georgia or the South. The two-time Grammy nominee was born in the small town of Strafford, Vermont which served as inspiration for his 2022 song "Northern Attitude." Meanwhile the late Charles, who died in 2004, was born in Albany, Georgia. People react online to the new 'Georgia On My Mind' cover Kahan's cover of "Georgia On My Mind" has received heavy backlash online, with one X post reading "Love Noah, but this ain't it at all." Advertisement "No one captures one of the most sacred traditions in Georgia history like *checks notes* New England native Noah Kahan." a different X user wrote. "No offense to Noah's version, but please pull the plug on this," another user wrote. "Love some Noah Kahan but what an absolute butcher job on an all time song and artist. Should've been the original," one post reads. "Not to be dramatic but this offends me in ways I can't even put into words," another wrote. When is the 2025 Masters tournament? The Masters tournament is set to commence its first round on Thursday, April 10. The second round is scheduled for Friday, April 11, which will determine the cut. The final two rounds are slated for Saturday, April 12, and Sunday, April 13. Contributing: Elizabeth Flores, USA TODAY This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Masters angers golf fans over Noah Kahan's 'Georgia On My Mind' cover
USA Today
14-02-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
2025 NBA All Star Weekend full schedule, How to watch 3-Point Contest, Slam Dunk Contest
The NBA's best are headed to Oakland for all the fanfare, celebrity and basketball that is 2025 NBA All Star Weekend. There are so many fun events through the entire weekend, that the NBA All Star Game itself is just the delicious dessert course after a mouth-watering meal of a weekend including the Celebrity Game, Rising Stars Game, 3-Point contest, Slam Dunk contest and so much more. Don't miss out on the action. Here's everything you need to know about 2025 NBA All Star Weekend including the schedule of events, who is scheduled to participate in the events, and most importantly how to watch every second of it! How to watch 2025 NBA All Star Weekend There are many different events that comprise NBA All Star Weekend, and they are televised on a variety of TV channels including ESPN, NBA TV, TNT, TruTV and more. Every major event that's a part of 2025 NBA All Star Weekend in Oakland is available to watch with Sling. Whether you're in it for the Rising Stars, 3-Point Contest, Slam Dunk contest, or the new All Star Game format, you can catch all the action with Sling. When is 2025 NBA 3-Point Contest One of the pillars of NBA All Star Weekend, the 3-Point Contest will be the second of three events held on Saturday evening. There is not an exact start time listed for the sharp shooters to begin, but it will start after the conclusion of the Rising Stars Game, which is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. ET. Who is in the 2025 NBA 3-Point contest While local fans might be disappointed that Stephen Curry is not participating in this year's 3-Point Contest, the field is absolutely loaded with some of the best shooters in the league. Jalen Brunson (New York Knicks) (New York Knicks) Cade Cunningham (Detroit Pistons) (Detroit Pistons) Darius Garland (Cleveland Cavaliers) (Cleveland Cavaliers) Tyler Herro (Miami Heat) (Miami Heat) Buddy Hield (Golden State Warriors) (Golden State Warriors) Cam Johnson (Brooklyn Nets) (Brooklyn Nets) Damian Lillard (Milwaukee Bucks) (Milwaukee Bucks) Norman Powell (Los Angeles Clippers) When is 2025 NBA Slam Dunk Contest Many fan's favorite event of the entire weekend, the AT&T Slam Dunk will cap Saturday night's activities, which begin at 8 p.m. ET. There is not an exact scheduled time for the AT&T Slam Dunk to begin, Who is in the 2025 Slam Dunk contest Mac McClung of the Orlando Magic is back to try and win his third-consecutive slam dunk crown. Trying to dethrone the champ will be Matas Buzelis of the Chicago Bulls, Stephon Castle of the San Antonio Spurs, and Andre Jackson Jr. of the Milwaukee Bucks. When is 2025 NBA All Star Game The 2025 NBA All Star Games are scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. ET on Sunday, Feb. 16. Unlike previous years, this year's All Star Game will be comprised of three smaller games, with the winners of the first two games battling for the title. The four All Star teams are coached by the TNT crew of Charles Barkley, Shaquille O'Neal, Kenny Smith and Candace Parker. NBA All Star Weekend schedule Here is the schedule for the weekend of games, contests and fan amusement in Oakland. Every All-Star Weekend event listed below is available to watch via Sling. Friday, Feb. 13 NBA All-Star Celebrity Game - 7 p.m. ET - ESPN - 7 p.m. ET - ESPN Castrol Rising Stars games - 9 p.m. ET - TNT & TruTV Saturday, Feb. 14 NBA HBCU Classic - 5 p.m. ET - NBA TV (watch with Sling Sports Extra) - 5 p.m. ET - NBA TV (watch with Sling Sports Extra) State Farm All-Star Saturday Night - 8 p.m. ET - TNT & TruTV Kia Skills Challenge Starry 3-Point Contest AT&T Slam Dunk - 8 p.m. ET - TNT & TruTV Sunday, Feb. 15 NBA All-Star Game - 8 p.m. ET - TNT & TruTV Game 1: Young Stars (coached by Kenny Smith) vs. Global Stars (coached by Charles Barkley) Game 2: OGs (coached by Shaquille O'Neal) vs. Rising Stars winner (coached by Candace Parker) Game 3: Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2 - 8 p.m. ET - TNT & TruTV Every recommendation is independently chosen by our editors. Purchases you make through our links may earn us a commission. Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.
