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Championship leader Lando Norris and McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri have been disqualified from the Las Vegas Grand Prix after their respective cars failed post-race technical checks.
Lewis Hamilton described his debut campaign at Ferrari as “the worst season ever” after another disappointing weekend at the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
As Travis Head was spanking Australia to victory in a remarkable two-day Ashes Test in Perth, England knew what was coming.
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The Falcons must begin to make QB plans for the 2026 season with Michael Penix set to undergo ACL reconstruction surgery.
FEATURES OF THE DAY
NBA head scratchers
Coach Thorpe, TrueHoop
full court pressure in a soft tissue league
bang!
NBA Rookie Rankings: Kon Knueppel Passes Cooper Flagg in an Impressive Top 10
Dylan Fine, Give Me Sport
Five NBA Teams Blowing Up Preseason Expectations—for Better or Worse
Liam McKeone, SI.com
The NBA Has Some Hidden Stats. Here’s What We Can Learn From Them
Jacob Sutton, JSutt Hoops
Whose usage and time of possession is up (or down) this season?
John Schumann, NBA.com
ATL: The best NBA free agent signing this summer wasn’t who you think
Bradley Rowland, Fansided
BOS: More frustration mounts, as Michael Porter Jr., lowly Nets come into Garden and power past Celtics
Gary Washburn, The Boston Globe
CHI: Heat 143, Bulls 107: Bulls simply can’t overcome Heat in a meaningful basketball game
Will Gottlieb, Allchgo.com
In the Tip-Off, the guys discuss how well the NBA is positioned to transition into a post-LeBron era. For the Vibe Check, they take the pulse of the LaMelo Ball situation, including Aaron offering some hypothetical deals to find him a new home. For 3-Up/3-Down, the guys discuss the Washington Wizards and their potential for all-time futility, the exceptional play of the Jazz’s Lauri Markkanen, whether the Hawks really need Trae Young, the surprising play of Collin Gillespie, the fact that experience isn’t equating with success this season, and the Houston Rockets playing bully ball on the offensive glass. Finally, this isn’t a hot-take space, but Aaron and Evan get off a couple of non-sports hot takes to soothe the soul.
*FEATURES OF THE DAY*
Why Full-Court Defense Is on the Rise in the NBA
Logan Murdock, The Ringer
Wembanyama, Morant Suffer Calf Strains. Why Injury Rate Is Up In NBA
Bruce Y Lee, MD, Forbes
Is “giving a damn about every single possession” easy, though?
Poor Man’s Commish, Let’s Go Warriors
The NBA Gave the Sacramento Kings a Schedule Tank
Above The Break
Why Full-Court Defense Is on the Rise in the NBA
Logan Murdock, The Ringer
… the rise of full-court pressure has been one of the most pervasive trends of the NBA season’s first month. Leaguewide, full-court pressure has increased substantially. Two-thirds of the NBA’s teams are pressing more than they did last year, per Synergy, with the Portland Trail Blazers leading the way. “If you’re playing defensively full court, you’re speeding the game up and getting a team to play faster than they like,” says Rick Carlisle, whose Pacers harassed guards like Jalen Brunson and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in the backcourt during their improbable 2025 playoff run. “That can be uncomfortable, and there can be turnovers.”
The press is also inextricable from the transformation of basketball over the last two decades, in which the abolition of hand checking, the explosion of pace, and the proliferation of long-range shooting have given ball handlers the upper hand. Can full-court pressure help defenses get back on level ground?
Early NBA concerns: one for each team
The Athletic NBA Staff
Wembanyama, Morant Suffer Calf Strains. Why Injury Rate Is Up In NBA
Bruce Y Lee, MD, Forbes
Why Are So Many NBA Stars Injured?
Thomas Golianopolis, Complex
What to make of Eastern Conference surprises
Eric Koreen/Joel Lorenzi/Hunter Patterson, The Athletic
T.J. Ford on Today’s Point Guards
Nam Tran, The Old Man Game
“So, when I look at the way the game is played now, point guard-wise, I think point guard-wise, you just automatically gave it to the smallest guy and said you have to lead. Today’s game, now, point guard has nothing to do with your height, size —it has to do with your ability to connect, your ability to make guys better, and the ability to do whatever the game calls for you to do. Doesn’t matter your height.”
He added that he embraces modern playmaking because various positions can take that role. He also added that many times, there will be multiple players on the floor who can direct the offence.
Maxey’s 54 helps Philly survive the Bucks in OT, San Antonio keeps winning, and more from last night
Dustin Brewer, Hoops
In the NBA Cup, teams are running it up. The rules say it’s a good idea to do so
Tim Reynolds, AP
Lauri Markkanen’s movement, Mitchell Robinson’s passing and more NBA trends
Fred Katz, The Athletic
ATL: Hawks fall in San Antonio
Lauren Williams, AJC
BOS: High-volume shooters have had some early bad luck from 3-point range, and other thoughts on the Celtics
Adam Himmelsbach, Boston Globe
BOS: Joe Mazzulla on having fun: ‘I suck at it’
Jay King, The Athletic
BOS: As rebounding improves so does the Celtics’ record
Adam Himmelsbach, Boston Globe
BOS: Rivals on Boston Celtics Without Jayson Tatum: Not Terrifying, But Never a Night Off
Steve Bulpett, Heavy
CLE: Donovan Mitchell is staying even-keeled as the Cavs face challenges both new and old this season
Katie Heindl, SBNation
DAL: Mavs must pick a direction
Christian Clark, The Athletic
The rest of the team-specific stories as well as draft-related stories follow for paid subscribers
Parker Fleming, author of the Subtsakalidis newsletter, joins Aaron Bollwinkel to talk about the Grizzlies’ new offensive system under Head Coach Tuomas Iisalo, what the return of Zach Edey means, the struggles of Jaren Jackson Jr. in the new scheme, the superb play of rookie Cedric Coward, and getting a gauge on where the Ja Morant situation stands.
Go follow Parker’s excellent work:
Parker Fleming of SubTsakalidis joins Ray and Nick to preview Thursday night’s game between the Sacramento Kings and the Memphis Grizzlies. They discuss the difficult start to the season for both teams, including their difficult schedules and injury woes. They also discuss the return of Zach Edey and how they expect him to impact the game. Finally, they discuss Memphis’s two young wing starters, Cedric Coward and Sacramento’s own Jaylen Wells, and their potential impact on the game.
*FEATURES OF THE DAY*
Which NBA teams are most in need of a ‘blow-it-up’ trade
Sam Quinn, CBS Sports
Kenny Atkinson’s stunning admission exposes fundamental flaw in Cavs’ design
Chris Fedor/Jimmy Watkins, cleveland.com
The Thunder could dominate the NBA for a decade, and the rest of the league has no one to blame but themselves
Mat Rutkowski, Fansided
How Are the Phoenix Suns *THIS* Good — and What Happens Now?
Jeremias Engelmann, 5×5
NBA early-season breakouts: Jalen Duren, Scottie Barnes and more are making a mark
John Hollinger, The Athletic
Which NBA teams are most in need of a ‘blow-it-up’ trade
Sam Quinn, CBS Sports
The Six NBA Trends That Actually Matter
Kirk Goldsberry, The Ringer
Wednesday’s Game Notes: Road Teams Rule Again!
Keith Smith, Basketball Bulletin
Wednesday Night’s Games
Dustin Brewer, Hoops
Vuc stomps out the Blazers’ comeback, a controversial finish between the Knicks and Mavs, and more.
Rookie Scale Team Options, Conversion Watch: Daniss Jenkins, Onyeka Okongwu Letting It Fly
Nick Thoreson, The Waive And Stretch
Early trade questions for the top contenders
ESPN
Team-Specific and Draft-Related stories follow for paid subscribers
The NBA’s two best teams last season are on completely divergent paths
Andrew Greif, NBC Sports
Notes on the Injury Crisis
Jared Dubin, Last Night In Basketball
NBA Power Rankings
Brad Botkin, CBS Sports
NBA Power Rankings
The Score
NBA Power Rankings: Most important role player for each team
ESPN
26. Sacramento Kings
Role player: Keon Ellis
There’s not much positivity emanating from Sacramento currently. The Kings have lost six straight games by these final margins: 31, 27, 14, 33, 14 and 13. Within those deep struggles, Doug Christie is beginning to retool his rotation. That includes a recent uptick in playing time for Ellis, with fans pleading for him with a “We want Keon” chant during the last homestand. Ellis at least provides some defensive resistance on the perimeter, as should Keegan Murray, who is expected to make his season debut this week. The Kings (120.4 rating) have the fourth-worst defense in the NBA
The NBA’s 5 most improved players
Fred Katz, The Athletic
Tuesday’s Games By the Numbers
Dustin Brewer, Hoops
NBA Game Notes: Catching up on Monday and Tuesday
Keith Smith, Basketball Bulletin
NBA News Roundup
Jacob Sutton, JSutt Hoops
Steve Kerr warns of rising NBA injuries, calls for shorter season
Nick Friedell, The Athletic
NBA Power Rankings
Ian Levy, Fansided
The NBA’s player participation policy is backfiring
Chris Fedor/Jimmy Watkins, cleveland.com
NBA’s Anti-Tanking Push Hasn’t Stopped a Historically Bad Start
Colin Salao, Front Office Sports
BKN: Cameron Boozer could be Nets’ tanking reward in likely loaded top of NBA draft
Brian Lewis, NY Post
BOS: CELTICS-NETS: The Good, The Bad and What Went Better than Expected
Sherrod Blakely, Full Court Press
BOS: Hauser exemplifies Joe Mazzulla’s message to Celtics in win over Nets
Bobby Krivitsky, Hardwood Houdini
BOS: Celtics put away pesky Nets to go over .500 for first time this season
Adam Himmelsbach, Boston Globe
CHI: A good night for the ‘brotherhood’ as feisty Bulls bench shines late
Joe Cowley, Sun-Times
There haven’t been many games this season in which reserves Julian Phillips, Dalen Terry and Jevon Carter have all played, let alone contributed. That changed Monday against the Nuggets.
CLE: Evan Mobley is Cavs’ quiet star but his rise could be impossible for NBA to miss
Mirin Fader, The Athletic
CLE: How Sam Merrill became essential to the Cavs
Ethan Sands, cleveland.com
CLE: Why the Rockets are the best early-season test for the Cavs’ championship aspirations
Jimmy Watkins/Chris Fedor, cleveland.com
DAL: The Making of Cooper Flagg
Cristin Weir
DAL: Trade AD? Wait for free agency? Tank? Every option in Dallas
ESPN
DAL: Inside the Mavericks’ power struggle: Nico Harrison vs. Mark Cuban
Tim MacMahon, ESPN
BKN: The early highlights of 2026 NBA Draft’s Big 3 confirm the stakes for Nets’ losses and rare wins
Brian Lewis, NY Post
BOS: Luka Garza Has Been a Vital Contributor Off the Bench
Efstathios Savvidis, Chowder & Champions
CHA: Kon Knueppel and the Value of Feel and Skill
Nathan Grubel, No Ceilings
CHA: Toronto’s long arms envelop the Hornets late despite a strong game from Kon Knueppel
Doug Branson, Every Hornets Boxscore
CLE: Donovan Mitchell stars as Giannis Antetokounmpo exits with injury in Cavs’ win over Bucks
Chris Fedor, cleveland.com
CLE: Cavs have the second-best record in the East — but why has it been such a struggle?
Chris Fedor, cleveland.com
CLE: Game Night Observations: Donovan Mitchell’s Latest Masterpiece, Sam Merrill’s Big Night and What Needs to Improve
Danny Cunningham, The Inside Shot
*FEATURE OF THE DAY*
Cade Cunningham Interview
Kevin Durant, Boardroom
CLE: Who are this year’s Cavs? They are still trying to figure that out
Chris Fedor, cleveland.com
CLE: The Cavs have a free throw problem and it’s undercutting their entire offense
Ethan Sands/Chris Fedor, cleveland.com
DET: Cade Cunningham Interview
Kevin Durant, Boardroom
GSW: Moses Moody torches a Pelicans team in disarray
Joseph Dycus, Mercury News
The rest of the team-specific stories as well as Leaguewide and draft-related stories follow for paid subscribers
FEATURE OF THE DAY
The 2025-26 NBA Is Warped Beyond Recognition
Neil Paine, Neil’s Substack
BOS: No More Six Seven…
Adam Taylor The Celtics Chronicle
BOS: Celtics notebook: Jordan Walsh impresses teammates in ‘great’ game vs. James Harden
Zack Cox, Boston Herald
BOS: Jaylen Brown, Celtics hold off James Harden, Clippers late to claim rare clutch win: 8 takeaways
Tom Westerholm/Audrey Cooney, Boston.com
“It’s just Jordan’s ability to stay disciplined throughout the entire thing – he’s just showing a true mindset into taking that on and having the professionalism and the toughness to do that every night,” Mazzulla said. “So we don’t tell him anything because of all the other stuff he’s done. He had six defensive rebounds, two offensive, and he’s doing more than just guarding the team’s best player. …
“So you pat him on the back and tell him to get better.”
BKN: Nets pick up second win of the season, beat Wizards 129-106
Collin Helwig, Nets Daily
BKN: Nets Defeat Of Wizards Didn’t Magically Wreck Their Season’s Mission
Steve Lichtenstein, Steve’s Newsletter
CHA: Hornets’ Kon Knueppel showing there’s another Duke rookie star
Sean Keene, Yardbarker
CHA:
CLE: Monday Mailbag: Potential Upgrades, Jarrett Allen’s Role and Growing Pains
Danny Cunningham, The Inside Shot
The remaining Team News, Around the League, and NBA draft for paid subscribers
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Ukraine peace talks underway in Geneva as Zelenskyy urges end to ‘bloodshed’ ABC News
