Sports
The NBA’s Title Race: Contenders, Pretenders, and the Chaos to Come
Mar 2, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward De’Andre Hunter (12) celebrates after hitting a three point basket during the second half against the Portland Trail Blazers at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images Gotta give Hollywood credit for sparing no expense when it came to the shiny new red carpet for its gala event Sunday night.
The Academy easily could have saved a few bucks by borrowing the used one the NBA rolled out for the Celtics in the playoffs last season.
Hey, no disrespect intended for the champs. They were clearly the NBA’s best in 2024, regardless of who dressed in clowns’ outfits in the other locker room.
But suffice it to say: If a collection of lightweights from within the conference and the other’s fifth-best team show up again this postseason, any of this year’s contenders would take it.
Speaking of the potential banner-raisers, only six remain who should concern themselves with clearing out space in the rafters. The Celtics’ competition in the East will come from the Cavaliers and Bucks, while the West representative under the NBA’s brightest lights this year will be either the Thunder, Nuggets or Lakers.
Each must attempt to avoid one another for as long as possible in the postseason, which gives the final six weeks of the regular season at least a sliver of significance.
Here’s why all six will be doing some scoreboard-watching …
CAVALIERS
You heard it here first… OK, for the 100th time: The Cavs will not beat the Celtics in a playoff series this May.
Yeah, we all saw the Donovan Mitchell show last week. Impressive, but lacking his shadow – Jrue Holiday, who watched from the sidelines.
Remember Kyrie Irving’s performance in last year’s Finals? Of course you don’t. Holiday made him disappear in a display surely worthy of Jayson Tatum’s four MVP votes.
Mitchell must come up big against the Celtics, and that’s not going to happen if Holiday is healthy. So the Cavs have to pray for a Bucks-Celtics matchup in Round 2 and hope Holiday tries to take a charge on Giannis.
CELTICS
Mar 2, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown (7) dribbles down the court defended by Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) during the first half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-Imagn Images The Knicks were constructed to beat the Celtics. Epic fail. If Boston draws New York in the second round of the playoffs … wonder if the Academy rents out its carpet.
The Celtics visit New York in April. It would behoove them to leave Holiday and Jaylen Brown behind while encouraging Tatum to shoot even more than usual.
If the difference between the Knicks and Bucks in their battle for the No. 3 seed is one game at season’s end, it would be wise for the Celtics to have dictated the order.
I know what you’re thinking: Boston has swept three straight from Milwaukee this season, so why does it matter? Well, because the games have gotten progressively closer, and the addition of Kyle Kuzma forces Tatum to have to guard somebody, and that’s a recipe for green disaster.
BUCKS
Feb 27, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard (0) celebrates a three-point basket with forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) and forward Kyle Kuzma (18) in the fourth quarter against the Denver Nuggets at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images The Bucks probably don’t belong on the list, but at least they’re intriguing. Giannis guarantees it.
But presuming the Bucks finish fourth in the East, their chances of making a run through Indiana, Cleveland and Boston are Packers-like. At least the basketball cousin has a playoff-tested quarterback.
A Bucks-Celtics matchup would mean death to both, but it would make for good TV. The loser of that slugfest would get a much-deserved fishing trip. The winner … well, they better hope the Knicks await.
THUNDER
Mar 2, 2025; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Ousmane Dieng (13) dunks in front of San Antonio Spurs guard Devin Vassell (24) in the second half at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images You might be asking: Why no mention of the first round in the East? Suffice it to say: If they post a total wins prop on seeds 5-8, and it’s higher than 3 1/2, take the under.
No such boat races in the West, and that’s to the Thunder’s benefit. They’re young; the Nuggets, Pacers, Mavericks … well, just about everybody else isn’t.
That’s an advantage in Round 3, but not in Round 1. So beware, OKC.
Alas, it’s Round 2 that the new kids on the block need to worry about. The Thunder cannot beat the Lakers and Nuggets – or Nuggets and Lakers – in consecutive series. So like the Cavaliers with the Celtics and Bucks, the top seed needs a Lakers-Nuggets death match while they mop up on – hopefully – the Grizzlies or the Rockets.
NUGGETS
Feb 28, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) gets ready to drive to the basket against the Detroit Pistons in the first quarter at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images I’m not sure anybody’s beating Luka’s Lakers, which puts the Nuggets in an interesting spot.
If the Lakers appear headed to the No. 2 seed, the Nuggets have to ask themselves: Do we really want to bust our butt to finish third, only to draw LeBron & Co. in Round 2?
Like the Knicks with the Celtics in the East, Denver’s chances of returning to the Finals after last year’s hiccup increase significantly the longer they can avoid the Lakers. So if Nikola Jokic and every talent north of Dario Saric need to be rested at least once a week from here on out to assure a fourth-place finish, then that’s the way it’s going to have to be.
The Nuggets can beat the Thunder. It’s as simple as this: In a classic Immovable Object vs. Irresistible Force showdown, Denver has more capable bodies (led by Russell Westbrook, Aaron Gordon and Peyton Watson) to throw at OKC’s one-man gang than the Thunder have to battle Denver’s big galoot.
LAKERS
Feb 28, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) defends LA Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) during the first quarter at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jason Parkhurst-Imagn Images I seriously doubt the Lakers truly care who’s next up on their path to the championship. But remember, this team is playing Jaxson Hayes at center, which means they can’t be too comfortable with seeing Nikola Jokic.
Or Alperen Sengun or Jaren Jackson Jr. or Rudy Gobert or Domantas Sabonis or … you catch my drift. As you might have noticed on the Lakers’ nice run of late: Nothing has come easy.
Surprisingly, given the addition of Luka No-D Doncic, the Lakers have been quite adept at protecting the hoop since the All-Star break. That’s bad news for the Thunder, as most of L.A.’s top defenders are size-SGA.
That’s why the Thunder have to be rooting for Lakers-Timberwolves in the first round. Then Lakers-Nuggets in Round 2.
If that happens, then it’s anybody’s game … depending upon how the seedings shake out and how many teams follow the sage advice offered here.
If not, everyone’s playing for second.
Sports
A'ja Wilson has no shortage of motivation after Aces' early exit in '24
Oct 1, 2024; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson (22) and New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart (30) during game two of the 2024 WNBA Semi-finals at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images LAS VEGAS — Entering her eighth season in the WNBA, Las Vegas Aces superstar A’ja Wilson is poised to build on what was arguably the most dominant individual campaign in league history.
Wilson joined Cynthia Cooper (1997) as the second player in league history to win a unanimous MVP award and joined an exclusive club as the fourth player to win the award three times. She averaged 26.9 points and 11.9 rebounds per game last season and set the all-time single-season mark for points (1,021) and rebounds (451).
Unfortunately for Las Vegas, injuries and fatigue from their two previous championship runs mounted and resulted in the team’s worst regular-season record (27-13) since 2019. The Aces’ three-peat hopes ended with a 76-62 home loss to the New York Liberty to drop their semifinal series 3-1.
It’s that loss on her home floor that served as Wilson’s motivation this offseason.
“Losing sucks, especially on your home court,” Wilson said “It still kind of burns a little bit, but I’ve used that as fuel to help my teammates understand how hard it is to win in this league. Yes, we can celebrate the two championships. They were great. But for us to move forward, we have to understand how hard this league is and value the basketball and the little things. I think that’s what we lacked last season, so we’re going to make sure that we can show up better than we did.”
While the Aces appeared to be on top of the world heading into their potential three-peat campaign in 2024, the reality inside the locker room was that both the internal and external pressure to win another championship had become suffocating. A common theme across media day was the fact that the team feels less pressure entering the 2025 season, a sentiment Wilson shared as the unquestioned leader of the team.
“(Three-peat talks) obviously impacted us, because it’s like, y’all think we don’t want to win? We’re trying as well,” Wilson said.
“I would definitely say it’s refreshing this year. I feel like this is one of my only years where it feels like there’s no weight. There’s a lot of weight to be defending champs. It’s a lot of weight to be trying to win one. We don’t have that. We actually have a clean slate to really dial into getting back to who we are culturally, like, in our system and everything.”
Leading the Aces back to the top of the mountain for a third time in four years is one of a few historically significant achievements Wilson can collect this upcoming season. Wilson could also become the first four-time MVP in league history, though the meaning of that is something she hasn’t quite allowed herself to ponder yet.
“I haven’t given it much thought, but it would be a blessing to have my name in that conversation,” Wilson said. “Every year, I try to be better than I was the year before just to give myself a chance in this league. Because the league is getting better. We’re growing. At this point, you just want to maintain your stamina. You want to maintain your mental, all of that, because the season gets hard. I can’t think too much about that just yet, but I’m definitely going to try to be better than I was last year.”
As Aces coach Becky Hammon put it, fans can expect to see an even better version of Wilson this season.
“What I see is, she went and got better,” Hammon said. “Which is hard to do when you’re already the best, but it speaks to her work ethic, her desire and her mindset this whole offseason. We talked a lot this offseason. She’s a busy lady, but I can tell you what she always does is her workouts. She’s always getting her workouts in. That comes first and foremost, she never gets her priorities jumbled up.”
When Hammon was asked what a player like Wilson would possibly need to improve after last season’s campaign, the coach did not feel like revealing too much.
“There was (something for Wilson to improve), and she did,” Hammon said. “I’m not going to tell you what it was. Actually, there were two things.”
–Will Despart, Field Level Media
Sports
Jacob Wilson joins Aaron Judge in spotlight for Yankees-A's series
May 5, 2025; West Sacramento, California, USA; Athletics shortstop Jacob Wilson (5) throws to first for an out against the Seattle Mariners during the seventh inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Lee-Imagn Images The top two hitters in the majors square off Friday night when the New York Yankees face the Athletics in the opener of a three-game series in Sacramento, Calif.
It’s no surprise to see Yankees star Aaron Judge off to a superb start after winning American League MVP honors last season. He has a major league-best .400 batting average and entered Thursday’s play tied for the big-league lead with 12 homers and 34 RBIs.
But who had Athletics rookie Jacob Wilson ranking second in the majors at .357 as the season nears the quarter pole? Wilson has played in just 64 career games and quickly has solidified himself as a future All-Star, perhaps even this season.
Sharing the marquee board with Judge seems quite surreal for the 23-year-old shortstop who was the No. 6 overall pick of the 2023 draft.
“It’s a great feeling, for sure,” Wilson said of his name being mentioned with Judge. “Obviously, everybody has seen what he is doing. It’s pretty incredible watching him do his thing on a daily basis. To be up there with him is pretty cool for me.
“I’m excited to play against him this week and see what it looks like in person.”
Wilson had his first career four-hit game during Wednesday’s 6-5 home loss against the Seattle Mariners and has six multi-hit outings in the past eight games. He went 8-for-14 with one game-winning hit in the three-game series against the Mariners and is 16-for-34 (.471) with four walks during the eight-game stretch.
The hot hitting led to Athletics manager Mark Kotsay moving Wilson to the leadoff spot on Wednesday. Kotsay indicated Wilson may be sticking at the top of the lineup.
“I think you’ll see Jacob up there now,” Kotsay said. “Jacob’s earned it. … Jacob has shown enough over the last week. He’s walking and taking pitches, and, obviously, swinging the bat really well.”
Judge arrives in Sacramento in the midst of a four-game funk in which he is 2-for-15.
The two-time MVP just went 1-for-10 in a three-game home series against the San Diego Padres, but the one hit was a homer.
Judge grew up 50 miles south of Sacramento in Linden and starred for Linden High but wasn’t highly sought by major league teams. The then-Oakland Athletics selected him in the 31st round in 2010.
Judge instead went the college route and starred for Fresno State. He was chosen in the first round (32nd overall) by the Yankees in the 2013 draft.
Trent Grisham was one of the heroes of Wednesday’s 4-3, 10-inning win over the Padres. He hit a tying two-run pinch-hit homer in the eighth inning.
Grisham had two homers and five RBIs in the series against the Padres — one of his former teams — and already has 10 long balls in just 89 at-bats. He hit just nine last season in 179 at-bats.
“I’m having fun with the guys, I would say that more than anything,” Grisham said. “The clubhouse is really good in here, led by Cap (Judge). So, I would say the guys have been the most enjoyable part.”
New York is starting right-hander Will Warren (1-2, 5.65 ERA) in Friday’s series opener. Right-hander Osvaldo Bido (2-2, 4.71) will be on the mound for the Athletics.
Warren, 25, struck out a career-high eight in 4 2/3 innings while losing to the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday. He gave up five runs (three earned) and seven hits. Warren hasn’t previously faced the Athletics.
Bido, 29, received a no-decision against the Miami Marlins last Saturday when he gave up four runs on three hits over five innings. He is winless (0-1) over his last three starts. Bido hasn’t faced the Yankees.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Report: Boxing legend Manny Pacquiao coming out of retirement
Aug 21, 2021; Las Vegas, Nevada; Manny Pacquiao (right) fights Yordenis Ugas in a world welterweight championship bout at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images Boxing legend Manny Pacquiao plans to end his retirement and return to the ring on July 19 against Mario Barrios in Las Vegas, ESPN reported Thursday.
Pacquiao, 46, will be fighting for the first time since losing a unanimous decision to Yordenis Ugas in 2021.
The fight will be for Barrios’ WBC welterweight championship belt. Barrios turns 30 on May 18.
Pacquiao is an eight-division champion who is slated to be inducted into the boxing Hall of Fame in June. He reportedly will formally announce his return to boxing next week. The report stated that Pacquiao has been cleared to compete by the Nevada State Athletic Commission.
In recent years, Pacquiao has been focusing on his political career in the Philippines.
The boxer nicknamed “PacMan” has a 62-8-2 record with 39 knockouts during his career. He won his first major title — the WBC flyweight crown — at age 19 in 1998.
Pacquiao was 54-3-2 prior to turning 33 and 8-5 afterward. One of those losses was to Floyd Mayweather Jr. via unanimous decision in 2015, a bout that reportedly drew nearly $400 million in pay-per-view sales.
Barrios (29-2-1, 18 knockouts) fought to a 12-round, split-decision draw against Abel Ramos last November. This will be his third defense since winning the title by beating Ugas in 2023.
–Field Level Media
A'ja Wilson has no shortage of motivation after Aces' early exit in '24
Best Mothers Day gifts: Show mom some love
