Sports
Detroit Pistons Are Firing on All Cylinders Once Again
Back when the Detroit Pistons were merely a season or two removed from their most recent playoff series victory, a parody tourism video and T-shirt needled the Motor City.
“Cleveland,” its slogan began, “We’re Not Detroit.”
Someone wearing such apparel around an NBA fan today might be in line for comeuppance. No, the Pistons aren’t quite the NBA-leading Cleveland Cavaliers, but with both teams riding separate eight-game winning streaks, there’s no one enjoying a comparable heat wave.
The same Pistons franchise that lost a franchise-record 28 successive games last season entered Thursday one game out of the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference. A jelling blend of youth and veterans is on Detroit’s side, of course, yet home-court advantage might also be a helpful harbinger as the Pistons aim to capture a playoff series for the first time since 2008.
Both attributes boosted Detroit to its latest win, Wednesday’s 117-97 home rout of the shorthanded defending NBA champion Boston Celtics.
Malik Beasley led the Pistons with 26 points, while the young duo of guard Cade Cunningham (21 points, 11 assists) and center Jalen Duren (13 points, 11 rebounds) both notched double-doubles.
“They’re well-coached,” Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said. “You’ve seen the rise of Cade Cunningham, his ability and his shot quality has increased a ton. You used to be able to bait him into lower shot quality possessions, but he’s done a much better job at finding high-quality possessions from a shooting standpoint. [Jalen] Duren’s gotten better, just his overall development.
“They’ve won, what, eight out of 10? I think a lot of it has to do with their ability to take care of the [defensive end]. It starts with those guys, but you got [Malik] Beasley, [Tim] Hardaway. … They’re well-coached and well-balanced.”
And even-keeled.
“I told whoever asked me before the game if it’s a big game, I said, ‘It’s another game for me,’” Beasley said. “At this point of our journey we’re all about ourselves, and I think that’s what’s taken this to another level. … For us to get this win is huge.”
Even with a crowd of 20,062 roaring its approval as the final seconds ticked down Wednesday, the Pistons maintained composure, viewing the ovation only as a short-term reward. Boston, which had won 10 of 11, played without multiple key pieces of its rotation, including second-leading scorer Jaylen Brown (left quad).
The second-seeded Celtics hope to be more whole when they welcome the Cavaliers on Friday night.
The Pistons, meanwhile, will host the Western Conference-contending Denver Nuggets in a bid to avoid their first loss since a three-point defeat against Cleveland on Feb. 5.
“We’re just focused on the process of it all,” Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. “We’re not focused on tonight, what we’ve done in the past. The only thing we’re focused on is every night, being the best version of ourselves. And [Wednesday] I thought we were pretty close.”
No, Detroit might not yet be Cleveland in the NBA landscape, but its Pistons certainly are charging.
Sports
Charlie Woods' U.S. Junior run ends with bogey in playoff
Charlie Woods watches his tee shot during the 109th Florida Amateur Championship at The Club at Admiral’s Cove on June 11, 2026, in Jupiter, Florida. Charlie Woods’ run at the 2026 U.S. Junior Amateur ended early Wednesday with a bogey on the first playoff hole.
The 17-year-old son of Tiger Woods fell shy of advancing to match play at Saucon Valley Country Club in Bethlehem, Pa.
Charlie Woods was one of 14 golfers in the playoff, competing for two spots in match play. The Florida State commit went 76-70 in stroke play, topping his previous performances of 80-74 in 2025 and 82-80 in 2024.
Woods was 6-over-par through five holes in Monday’s round before rebounding strong and playing his next 31 holes in 1-under par.
In Wednesday’s playoff, Woods’ tee shot at the par-5 first hole found the middle of the fairway, about 270 yards from the hole. With two players ahead of him having already carded birdies, he went for the green in two but found thick rough. His pitch ended up on the fringe and his birdie chip slid past the hole, ending his day.
Eli Wessel, Hudson Kutchma and Leo Gao birdied to advance to the second playoff hole, where Wessel and Kutchma made pars to move on to match play.
Woods is heading into his senior season of high school and is expected to sign with the Seminoles, where he will join No. 1-ranked junior Miles Russell in the 2027 recruiting class. Russell shared medalist honors this week and entered match play as the No. 2 seed.
Woods entered the week ranked No. 174 by the American Junior Golf Association.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Stephen Curry first active player showcased by Hall of Fame
Sep 25, 2022; San Francisco, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) poses with the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophies during Media Day at the Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame will break with tradition Friday when it opens an exhibition highlighting the career of Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry. No other player in league history has received such an honor while still active.
The exhibition is titled “Stephen Curry: Beyond the Arc” and takes a look at the four-time NBA champion and two-time MVP both on and off the court. Curry’s business team partnered with the Hall of Fame on the project.
“The exhibit is designed to explore his multifaceted legacy as a basketball icon, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and family man,” the Hall of Fame said in a news release.
This will be the first look at Curry’s legacy at the Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass., but not the last. He is certain of being selected for enshrinement into the hall as soon as he is eligible, post-retirement.
“When I think about my journey, I think about the people who believed in me, the work that happened when nobody was watching and the moments that shaped me on and off the court,” said Curry, 38.
“To have that story told while I’m still playing is something I don’t take lightly. My hope is that fans walk through this experience and feel the joy, the purpose and the gratitude that basketball has given me, and maybe see a little bit of their own journey in it too.”
A closing date has not been set for the exhibition.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Cardinals OL Isaiah Adams facing gun charges in Canada
Arizona Cardinals offensive lineman Isaiah Adams (74) watches from the sidelines during the team’s practice at State Farm Stadium on July 29, 2025. Arizona Cardinals offensive lineman Isaiah Adams is facing multiple charges related to a guns and gangs investigation in his native Canada.
Adams turned himself into Durham Regional Police in the Toronto area on Sunday on charges of possessing a weapon by crime, possessing a restricted or prohibited firearm without a license, possessing a loaded firearm and possessing a prohibited device.
His 27-year-old sister, Allyson Mae Adams, was charged with the same crimes as part of the investigation.
Adams, who turned 26 on Tuesday, has since returned to Arizona and is expected to report to training camp on Wednesday, according to ESPN. The Cardinals begin practice on Thursday.
The Cardinals said Tuesday that they were aware of the situation.
“Out of respect for the process, we will refrain from commenting further at this time,” a team spokesperson said.
A third-round draft pick by Arizona in 2024, the 6-foot-4, 315-pound Adams appeared in 32 games with 16 starts in his first two NFL seasons. He is expected to compete with rookie Chase Bistonis for the starting job at right guard.
–Field Level Media
Charlie Woods' U.S. Junior run ends with bogey in playoff
Stephen Curry first active player showcased by Hall of Fame
