Vice President JD Vance sharply called out WNBA players in the league finals over skipping the national anthem during an interview Wednesday, calling them "disgraceful."

Players from both the Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries have left the court during the national anthem before the first two games of the WNBA Finals, despite a rule in the league’s own rulebook specifically calling for players to stand and line up during the performance.

"I think it's disgraceful," Vance told host Raymond Arroyo on "Arroyo Grande." "I think that you should not express some criticism of a public policy of a given politician by disrespecting the country writ large. I mean, those women who play for the WNBA, think of the public safety, think of the incredible wealth and privilege, the amazing jobs that they have. They have a lot to be grateful to the United States for, and I think that if they had a bit more of a spirit of gratitude, they'd be happier people, and they wouldn't offend so many people as well."

Vance also appeared to cite Saint Augustine’s idea of Ordo Amoris, a concept from Catholic thought that Vance cited in 2025 to defend administration deportation policies.

NBA STAYS SILENT ON WNBA FINALS TEAMS SKIPPING THE NATIONAL ANTHEM BEFORE GAMES 1 AND 2

"I've gotten some trouble talking about this, but I'll just talk about it again," Vance said. "One of the ways I understand the Catholic understanding is that we have various orders of duty, and you know, our closest and most immediate duty, of course, is to our family and to the people in our immediate circle. But we, of course, owe duties to the entire world. We owe duties to the stranger. But I also think a good and coherent understanding of the Christian self is that you are part of a national community."

He added, "Whether you were born in the United States or whether you came here by choice, this is your country. And I think that we're all meant to love it. We're all meant to try to make it the best version of itself. But fundamentally, I think, without love of country, I think that you're going to be a disordered human being."

Fox News Digital spoke to veteran GOP strategist Mary Marslender, who argued, like Vance, that the basketball players lack perspective on how great it is to live in the United States.

OUTKICK READERS BLAST WNBA PLAYERS FOR HIDING DURING FINALS NATIONAL ANTHEM

"The WNBA players are treating a country that has given them extraordinary privileges as if it were an oppressor, while ignoring that American women enjoy rights and opportunities that remain rare or nonexistent for most women elsewhere," she said. "They seem to forget that a league like the WNBA exists and its players can publicly dissent without fear of state reprisal solely because of these rights and opportunities. If these activists hate this country that much, they are free to leave it. The rest of us are done with this disrespect."

Fox News Digital reached out to the WNBA, as well as the Women's National Basketball Players Association, and did not receive an immediate reply.

OutKick's Dan Zaksheske contributed to this report.

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The Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries left the court for the national anthem before the first two games of the WNBA Finals. Now Riley Gaines is arguing that those decisions should carry consequences when athletes seek to represent the United States internationally.

Gaines initially weighed in while sharing OutKick’s video of the Game 2 anthem absence.

"It’s my personal opinion that if you kneel for the flag and what it represents, you shouldn’t be able to represent the USA at the Olympics," Gaines wrote on X.

DREAM, VALKYRIES SKIP NATIONAL ANTHEM IN WNBA FINALS GAME 2 DESPITE RULEBOOK REQUIREMENT

In a statement to OutKick, Gaines expanded her argument to players who leave the court to avoid the anthem.

"The American flag and our national anthem do not represent whichever political party or administration happens to be in power. They represent the American people, our shared identity, the freedoms we enjoy, and the generations of men and women who fought, sacrificed and died to preserve those freedoms," Gaines said.

"Players who leave the court specifically to avoid the national anthem are making a deliberate statement. They are free to do so, of course. Free speech includes the freedom to withhold respect."

"But I’m of the mind that choice has consequences when the same athletes later seek the honor of representing the United States on the international stage."

Neither Finals team nor the WNBA has answered OutKick’s questions about the anthem absences. Nor has the NBA, whose commissioner, Adam Silver, is helping lead the search for the WNBA’s next commissioner.

NBA STAYS SILENT ON WNBA FINALS TEAMS SKIPPING NATIONAL ANTHEM IN GAMES 1 AND 2

Gaines said patriotism does not require blind allegiance to a political party or pretending America is without flaws. But she argued that athletes seeking to represent the country should be judged on how they treat its anthem.

"If an athlete treats standing for the anthem as optional or objectionable during the WNBA season, it is reasonable to question whether they are prepared to accept the full weight of representing the country when the spotlight is global," she said.

Former Georgia state Rep. Vernon Jones called Tuesday for players from both teams to lose their eligibility to represent the United States in Olympic basketball.

Jones wrote that those players "should be ineligible to play on the U.S. Women’s Olympic Basketball Team."

Atlanta’s Team USA connection includes Angel Reese and Rhyne Howard

Reese and Howard were both named to Team USA’s 2026 Women’s World Cup roster. The Dream announced their selections in August, noting that they became the first two players in franchise history selected together for the United States at a five-on-five Women’s World Cup or Olympics.

Golden State had no players on that U.S. World Cup roster, but Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase served as a U.S. assistant coach. Golden State star Gabby Williams represents France.

Both Reese and Howard stood for the national anthem while representing the United States at September’s FIBA Women’s World Cup.

AMERICA'S WOMEN'S BASKETBALL EPIC REACHES CLIMAX WITH NATIONAL UNITY ON THE LINE IN FIBA WORLD CUP FINAL

But representing the United States internationally comes with an extra responsibility to show respect for the country at home.

And that responsibility doesn't disappear when the USA jersey comes off and the WNBA jersey goes on. Staying off the court while the anthem plays during the WNBA Finals falls short of the standard we should expect from athletes entrusted with representing this country.

Sage Steele warns anthem absences could drive fans away

Former ESPN anchor Sage Steele also criticized the league in a social media video.

Steele accused the WNBA’s players, coaches and leadership of disrespecting the country by leaving the court for the anthem.

"So are they free to express themselves the way they want? Absolutely. But there’s a cost to it," Steele said.

"And I just hope they realize that this constant lack of respect is going to turn fans away forever. They’re not going to come back, and it’s going to be their own fault," Steele added.

Players are free to express themselves, but as Steele noted, that freedom can come with a price. We're not calling for the players to be jailed.

The First Amendment limits the government’s power to restrict speech, but it doesn’t require fans to support those choices or critics to stay quiet. We have the right to express our disapproval, too.

WNBA rulebook calls for an anthem lineup

Both Finals teams were off the floor during the anthem before Saturday’s opener and Monday’s Game 2 at Chase Center. In both games, the players returned within seconds of the performance ending.

The WNBA’s 2026 official rulebook includes a provision calling for players, coaches and trainers to stand and line up in a dignified posture along the sidelines or foul line during the national anthem.

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OutKick contacted the WNBA and both teams after Game 1, followed up Sunday and again Tuesday. The inquiries sought explanations for the absences, clarification of the league’s anthem requirements and the teams’ plans for Game 3 on Wednesday night in Atlanta.

Those questions remain unanswered.

For Gaines, the responsibility goes beyond a WNBA pregame routine.

"Wearing the USA jersey is not a private entitlement that comes with athletic success. It is a public responsibility," she said.

The NBA returned to action yesterday, and I had two plays for us, and we started perfectly with wins in both games. It won't always be a rosy outlook, but it was nice to get off to a good start in the NBA. We had the appetizer of three great games yesterday, and today we have 11 different matchups to choose from. The first one I have circled is on ESPN as the Timberwolves take on the Heat.

The Minnesota Timberwolves should probably be given a little bit of credit for all of the tinkering they've done with their roster over the years. We see a lot of teams build a roster and then leave it alone for a few years to see if it will work out. The Timberwolves have given their team a chance, and then they adjust based on the results of the squad. For example, they've traded for Rudy Gobert, then they traded away Karl-Anthony Towns when the pairing didn't work. They realized they needed a point guard, and they traded for LaMelo Ball in the offseason.

The problem with the trade is that they got rid of one of their best players, Naz Reid, in the deal. He will be missed off the bench and in key moments. However, Ball should make the offense look a little more dynamic. Ball has plenty of flaws. He has terrible shot selection, seems to be a complete disaster on defense in isolation situations, and he is injury-prone. There is no denying his talent, though. When his shot is falling, he is elite. He is great in transition, and he will now be a second option to Anthony Edwards, who seems to already really like playing with him.

LAMELO BALL TRADED TO TIMBERWOLVES TO TEAM UP WITH FELLOW TOP PICK ANTHONY EDWARDS IN BLOCKBUSTER DEAL: REPORT

The Miami Heat come into this game with a new look as well. They still have some key mainstays like Erik Spoelstra as their coach. I've removed any doubt about his abilities. He seems to find a way to get things to work regardless of who he has on the roster. That doesn't mean they always win, but he certainly gets the most out of his team. Pat Riley is also willing to shake things up as he tries to get the team back to championship contention.

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There is no doubt they are close again because they added one of the best players in basketball in the offseason with Giannis Antetokounmpo coming to the team. Giannis will now be the offensive force for the team. If you're going to question anything about the roster, the main question should be: where will the shooting come from? No one on the roster, outside of Klay Thompson, is a great 3-point shooter, and he is on the wrong side of his career to be relied on. Probably the same with Tim Hardaway Jr.

The Heat might have the best defensive five in basketball. Davion Mitchell is an elite defender, even if he doesn't get much recognition for it. Thompson and Wiggins have both likely lost a step, but both are still good defenders. Giannis and Bam are potential Defensive Player of the Year candidates. It is a bit hard to take the under in this game because the Timberwolves could absolutely be an offensive force, and no one really will stop Giannis on their team, but I think the Heat defense, plus the lack of 3-point shooting from Miami, give the under 238.5 a good shot.

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For more sports betting information and plays, follow David on X/Twitter: @futureprez2024

Los Angeles Lakers e Golden State Warriors se encontram na noite desta quarta-feira (21), às 23h (horário de Brasília), na Crypto.com Arena, em Los Angeles, na Califórnia, em mais um capítulo da temporada regular da NBA.

O confronto reúne duas das franquias mais tradicionais e vitoriosas da história do basquete norte-americano, ambas integrantes da Conferência Oeste, e promete atrair a atenção de fãs em todo o Brasil e no mundo.

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A partida será transmitida pela ESPN 2 e do Disney+.

Onde assistir a Los Angeles Lakers x Golden State Warriors

• TV fechada: ESPN 2
• Streaming: Disney+

Ficha técnica de Los Angeles Lakers x Golden State Warriors

• Data: 21/10/2026
• Horário: 23h
• Local: Crypto.com Arena, em Los Angeles

“Somos mal remunerados”: Stephen Curry desabafa sobre salários na NBA

 

Washington, 21 oct (Prensa Latina) Golden State Valkyries y Atlanta Dream buscarán hoy romper el equilibrio de la final del baloncesto femenino estadounidense (WNBA), en una batalla que promete encender la cruzada por la supremacía.

The post WNBA: Valkyries y Dream, tercer asalto hacia una corona inédita first appeared on Noticias Prensa Latina.

The Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries left the court for the national anthem before the first two games of the WNBA Finals, despite a provision in the league’s own rulebook calling for players to stand and line up during the performance.

Now the NBA has joined the WNBA and both teams in leaving OutKick’s questions about those absences unanswered.

DREAM, VALKYRIES SKIP NATIONAL ANTHEM IN WNBA FINALS GAME 2 DESPITE RULEBOOK REQUIREMENT

OutKick contacted NBA Executive Vice President and Chief Communications Officer Mike Bass on Tuesday.

The inquiry asked about the NBA’s role in the matter, possible discipline and whether the teams would be instructed to be present for the anthem before Wednesday’s Game 3.

The NBA did not respond by the deadline. The WNBA and both teams also have not answered OutKick’s repeated inquiries.

NBA asked about its role in WNBA anthem enforcement

The WNBA’s 2026 official rulebook calls for players, coaches and trainers to stand and line up along the sidelines or foul line during the national anthem.

OutKick asked Bass whether the NBA has a role in overseeing or enforcing that provision, or whether enforcement is solely the WNBA’s responsibility.

We also asked whether NBA Commissioner Adam Silver or anyone at the NBA league office had discussed the absences with WNBA leadership and, if so, what guidance had been provided.

WNBA SILENT AS FINALS TEAMS SKIP NATIONAL ANTHEM DESPITE RULE REQUIRING PLAYERS TO STAND IN LINE

Additional questions covered whether either team had received an exemption, whether discipline was planned or under consideration, and whether the teams would be instructed to be on the court for Game 3.

The NBA was given until the end of Tuesday to respond.

Bass’s responsibilities span both leagues. His 2026 Sports PR Summit biography says he oversees public relations, including basketball and business communications, for the NBA and WNBA, among other leagues.

The NBA’s involvement in the WNBA dates to its creation: the NBA Board of Governors approved the women’s league in 1996.

Bass previously issued an NBA statement on anthem policy

In February 2021, Bass issued an official NBA statement reiterating the league’s requirement that teams play the national anthem.

The statement said "all teams will play the national anthem in keeping with longstanding league policy."

That statement addressed playing the anthem. OutKick’s current questions concern whether WNBA teams must be on the court during the performance.

Before Saturday’s WNBA Finals opener and Monday’s Game 2, both teams left the floor ahead of the anthem and returned within seconds of the performance ending.

OutKick contacted the WNBA, Dream and Valkyries after Game 1 and followed up with all three Sunday, asking about the absences, the league’s anthem requirements and plans for Game 2.

After both teams were absent again Monday, OutKick followed up with all three Tuesday, seeking explanations and asking about plans for Game 3.

OutKick attended five pregame and postgame press conferences Saturday, plus both coaches’ pregame and postgame press conferences Monday. OutKick was not called on to ask a question at any of the nine sessions.

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The WNBA has a written provision calling for players to be on the floor for the anthem, but its Finals teams have twice been absent.

Asked about it, the NBA has been just as quiet as the WNBA.

Con 28 puntos del base y el debut oficial de «El Rey», 76ers se impone en el Madison Square Garden para vencer 106-100 a Knicks.

LeBron James played spoiler against the New York Knicks on their championship banner night in his first game of his unprecedented 24th NBA season, but not before getting into a war of words with a fan.

Late in the second quarter, Jalen Brunson was shooting free throws as the brand-new Philadelphia 76ers star got heated with someone sitting near the sidelines.

It's not clear what provoked James to get angry, but it seems like it had to do with where he's from and/or previously lived.

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"Ain't nothing soft in the Midwest, I don't know what the f---  you talking about," James, an Akron, Ohio, native said.

The conversation took a turn when James, who just got finished playing eight seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers, mentioned what is now his former home.

"I'm not from the west coast, I'm from Ohio baby. I'm not a midwest kid - I'm an Ohio baby. F--- is you talking about?"

The NBC broadcast, via the New York Post, said that the exchange came as fans were taunting James over his helicopter use, which has become rather controversial. James’ brand deal with Fanatics includes use of the company’s corporate aviation, and he has been using it to commute from his new home in New York to Philadelphia for practices.

James recently said it was "just another way of transportation."

During an appearance on "The Pat McAfee Show," NBA Commissioner Adam Silver made clear that there was no reason to be concerned about either the arrangement between James and Fanatics or potential salary-cap circumvention.

"He has a deal with Fanatics," Silver said just hours before the Detroit Pistons rallied for a comeback win over the Boston Celtics to tip off the new season. " . . . Part of his deal is they're going to supply a helicopter to him as long as it's just a deal between the Fanatics and LeBron and no team is involved; there's no rules issue there whatsoever."

Naturally, James' first game of the season was at Madison Square Garden, so he had a much shorter commute.

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After signing with the Sixers in free agency, James decided his primary residence would be in the country's largest city. He is not the first NBA player to do so while playing for Philadelphia. Los Angeles Lakers coach JJ Redick also lived in New York during his two seasons with the Sixers. But James’ decision to make the routine trip by helicopter has drawn particular attention.

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OutKick's Chantz Martin contributed to this report.

New York Knicks fizeram nova festa do título no Madison Square Garden com adeptos a gritarem "Não te queríamos aqui". Querendo ou não, LeBron ainda faz diferença aos 41 anos – e foi de novo o "vilão".

Former NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom says he is in contact with the FBI after receiving death threats over his plans to attend Game 3 of the WNBA Finals in Atlanta, including messages warning that he would be "the next Charlie Kirk."

Freedom told OutKick that he intends to attend Wednesday’s game between the Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries despite the threats, and said he was arranging security for his return to a WNBA arena following his ejection from a Chicago Sky game in August.

"So we are in touch with FBI. We have our own security," Freedom said, adding that Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp’s office has already provided him security as well.

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"We have a conversation with the governor and he's providing us security as well. But we are in touch with FBI as well. There's going to be a lot of FBI officers around the game, so, and they will be protecting us."

A spokesperson from Kemp's office told OutKick, "Our office connected their team with the appropriate law enforcement resources."

Freedom described receiving "thousands of death threats" after announcing that he would attend the game. The claimed number of threats and the federal and state security arrangements he described have not been independently confirmed.

Asked about the worst threat he had received, Freedom described a message warning that he would be "the next Charlie Kirk."

"Look, I'm just simply saying that I'm going to be attending the game," he said. "My DMs are full of pictures and videos of the moment that Charlie Kirk got shot, and they're saying that you're going to be next very soon," Freedom continued. "It's a shame."

Freedom also shared a video compilation on social media Tuesday presenting messages as threats against him ahead of his trip to Atlanta.

ANGEL REESE DOMINATES GAME 2 AS ATLANTA DREAM EVEN WNBA FINALS AGAINST GOLDEN STATE VALKYRIES

Game 3 is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET Wednesday at State Farm Arena. The best-of-seven series is tied 1-1 after Atlanta’s 79-65 victory in Game 2 on Monday.

Freedom’s planned appearance comes amid his dispute with the WNBA over eligibility for the league. He and fellow former NBA player Royce White announced plans to enter the 2027 draft while saying they identify as women.

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert told Republican lawmakers in an Oct. 16 letter that neither is eligible, writing that "only women are eligible to play in the WNBA and the individuals you cite in your letter are both men."

Freedom has said he wants the league to adopt an explicit eligibility restriction based on biological sex. He has pointed to Valkyries player Gabby Williams’ support for transgender participation as the inspiration for his effort to enter the league.

"I'm going there to enjoy the game," Freedom said of his plans for Wednesday. "I'm going there to support all these hardworking women, especially Gabby Williams and Angel Reese."

His last visit to a WNBA game ended with his removal from an Aug. 23 contest between the Sky and Indiana Fever at Wintrust Arena following a confrontation with Chicago guard Natasha Cloud.

The Sky subsequently banned Freedom from their home games. He later filed a lawsuit alleging that his First Amendment rights had been violated. Sky owner Michael Alter disputed his account and said security removed him because of his conduct rather than his speech.

Freedom maintained in the interview that he had done nothing wrong during the Chicago incident. Asked how he would respond if another player confronted him in Atlanta, he said he did not intend to escalate an encounter.

GOP CONGRESSMAN PRESSES WNBA TO DEFINE ‘WOMEN’ AFTER ENES KANTER FREEDOM, ROYCE WHITE RULED INELIGIBLE

"I'm going there to watch the game and I'm going there to support them, actually. So if a player gets in my face, I'm not planning to do anything," he said. "I did not, and I'm not going to cross the baseline or the sideline," he added.

Freedom also said Reese had blocked him on X, despite what he described as having no previous interaction with her.

"I never had a conversation. I never even seen her in my life before," he said. "Never even talked to her, never even seen her."

He nevertheless picked Atlanta to win the game and the series.

"I think it's going to be Atlanta," he said. "I think they're playing really good basketball."

Freedom teased a shirt he plans to wear to the game but did not reveal its wording during the interview. At the Chicago game, he wore a shirt bearing a definition of "woman" as an "adult human female." He said he wanted his presence in Atlanta to be understood as support for women’s sports.

"We are not here to mock or make fun of anyone or any personal decision," he said.

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"Many people think that I'm going there to troll. No, I'm going there to support women, protect women, and make sure that I enjoy the game."

OutKick reached out to the FBI, the Georgia Department of Public Safety, the WNBA, the Atlanta Dream, and representatives for State Farm Arena and the Atlanta Hawks for comment on Freedom’s reported death threats, planned attendance and claims about security arrangements.

• Stephen Curry says his career longevity comes down to what he does off the court.
• He says he's grateful to be still playing at a high level at his age.
• The NBA star, now 38, says thinking about the end helps him make the most of every day.

Stephen Curry is still at the top of his game and says it comes down to what happens off the court.

"It's the not-so-glamorous but still fun to me work that you put in behind the scenes, and that's the only way you make it this long," Curry said during an appearance on Wednesday's episode of "The Stephen A. Smith Show."

The NBA player said he's proud and grateful to still be playing at a high level, despite dealing with injuries over the years. He said experience has taught him how to prepare his body for each season.

"I still love to play. That's the gas in the tank, and I've got a great team around me that is helping me accomplish my goals," he said.

Curry has spent his entire NBA career with the Golden State Warriors after being drafted seventh overall in 2009. He has won four NBA championships, two league MVP awards, and the 2022 Finals MVP.

While he's known for his three-point shooting, Curry said much of the work that keeps him on the court happens away from it.

"The hardest work is in the offseason," he said. Once the season begins, he said, the focus is on doing his best and hoping his health holds up.

At 38, Curry said he is focused on seeing how long he can continue competing at the highest level.

A large part of it means being more deliberate about his preparation, both offseason and during the season, Curry said, adding that he trains "differently" than he used to.

He is grateful to still be capable of "moving the needle" on the court, even as he recognizes he has fewer seasons ahead than behind him.

"I can still enjoy myself, give everything I've got to it," Curry said. "There's a sense of urgency at the moment, and that's as far as I let my mind go."

The 12-time NBA All-Star said he thinks about "the end of the road every day."

"I think that's OK. I think that's a motivator," he said.

Curry has previously shared habits that help him stay healthy and sharp throughout the season.

In March 2025, Curry told Business Insider that he tries to stay active with walks or bike rides, even when he's not training. He also values his nighttime wind-down routine.

"I wear Normatec compression boots when I watch a show in bed, read a book, or talk to my wife," Curry said. "After that, I put on an audio track, a sleep sound device meant to trigger the brainwaves and help you get deep sleep."

In September, he told Business Insider that regular sauna sessions are a key part of his recovery routine. Curry uses it for around 15 minutes after games or demanding workouts. On rest days, he typically spends 20 to 25 minutes in an infrared sauna.

Curry has also previously shared details of his game-day routine. He told GQ that he aims for at least eight hours of sleep and, if he does not have a shootaround, starts the morning with mobility stretching or core work. He also follows a standard formula for his pregame meals.

"It's some type of protein, whether it's a fish or a chicken. I don't really do too much red meat. Then like a pasta — or a rice — and a veggie, pretty straightforward," Curry said.

La NBA levantó el telón de una nueva temporada y la primera noche dejó un fantástico póster grabado ya en la enciclopedia del baloncesto español. Transcurría el tercer cuarto en el Frost Bank Center de San Antonio cuando la estrella de los Spurs, el pívot francés Victor Wembanyama, despegó los interminables muelles de sus piernas y brazos y elevó sus 2,24m para machacar el aro del equipo rival, Oklahoma City Thunder. Una acción cientos de veces repetida y en la que el larguísimo jugador de 22 años apenas encuentra nunca resistencia. No existe la vida a esas alturas salvo para Wemby, acostumbrado a perforar la red como si jugara ante niños. Pero alguien se cruzó esta vez en su camino. Era un gigante llamado Aday Mara, el pívot español de 21 años y 2,21m que debutaba en la NBA y que taponó a Wembanyama con tal decisión y contundencia que el francés acabó por los suelos sin entender qué había sucedido. La secuencia terminó en un contraataque que Mara culminó machacando el aro de los Spurs cuando Wemby todavía regresaba aturdido hacia su canasta.

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© Daniel Dunn (IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

<![CDATA[

La NBA dio el pistoletazo de salida la madrugada de este miércoles. Uno de los grandes atractivos de la jornada era ver el debut de LeBron James, a los 41 años, iniciar su nueva etapa con los Philadelphia 76ers en busca de su quinto anillo y en casa del campeón: los New York Knicks; el otro, en clave, española, era observar los primeros pasos de Aday Mara en la competición nada menos que ante Victor Wembanyama. Ambos salen satisfechos.

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Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) Commissioner Cathy Engelbert revealed in a letter that “only women are eligible” to compete in the WNBA. In a letter addressed to Reps. Marlin Stutzman (R-IN), Andy Biggs (R-AZ), Erin Houchin (R-IN), and Zach Nunn

The post WNBA Responds to Congress on How It Defines a Woman appeared first on Breitbart.

Former NBA player Royce White says he plans to explore legal avenues against the WNBA after Commissioner Cathy Engelbert told Congress that he and Enes Kanter Freedom are ineligible to play because they are men.

White told OutKick that Engelbert’s response does not resolve his challenge to the league’s eligibility standards, calling on the WNBA to explain how it defines men and women.

"We plan to explore every legal avenue possible to hold the WNBA and NBA community to their stated standards and values," White said.

FORMER NBA PLAYER ROYCE WHITE SAYS HE IS DECLARING FOR NEXT WNBA DRAFT AFTER ENES KANTER ANNOUNCEMENT

Asked whether Engelbert’s letter had officially triggered a previously discussed discrimination lawsuit, White said he could not discuss particulars. He did not announce a filing or provide a timetable for taking legal action.

The dispute centers on White’s and Freedom’s efforts to enter the 2027 WNBA draft after declaring that they identify as women. During the interview, White agreed when asked whether his declaration was "for basketball purposes."

In an Oct. 16 letter responding to Republican lawmakers, Engelbert stated the league’s position directly.

"With respect to your questions regarding eligibility, only women are eligible to play in the WNBA and the individuals you cite in your letter are both men," Engelbert wrote.

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The response followed a Sept. 17 inquiry from Rep. Marlin Stutzman, R-Ind., and four Republican colleagues asking how the WNBA defines "women" under its collective bargaining agreement and why White and Freedom had been deemed ineligible. The lawmakers requested answers by Oct. 16.

The agreement states that "only players who are women are eligible to play in the WNBA," but does not specify language concerning gender identity or sex assigned at birth, Front Office Sports reported in August.

Engelbert’s response did not supply a definition of "women" or explain the criteria used to classify White and Freedom as men.

White said that distinction remains central to his challenge.

"No, we’re not letting them off that easy," he said when asked whether Engelbert’s statement represented a step in the right direction.

"She has to define, and the WNBA has to define, what a man and a woman is and why."

White also called for NBA Commissioner Adam Silver to address the dispute.

ENES FREEDOM RIPS CHERYL REEVE FOR SAYING WOMEN'S SPORTS ADVOCATES 'DON’T WANT TRANSGENDER PEOPLE TO EXIST'

"I’d like Adam Silver and the NBA to weigh in," he said.

The league had already rejected the two former NBA players’ eligibility through statements attributed to league sources in August.

ROYCE WHITE SHOWS UP TO INDIANA FEVER GAME IN BLONDE WIG AMID WNBA DRAFT PURSUIT

White described himself as a longtime fan of women’s basketball, saying he grew up watching older female relatives play sports and learned from local girls’ basketball players.

"I’m a fan of the WNBA. I think the women have come a long way," White said. "I’d love to see it not as politicized as it is, because I think it takes away from the beauty of the game."

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White added that he has been watching the WNBA Finals and is considering attending games, although he declined to identify which ones, citing security concerns.

"I have my eyes on a few games for sure, and I’ve been watching," he said, describing himself as "scoping the competition."

The Knicks waited 53 years to hang a championship banner at Madison Square Garden. Naturally, they still found a way to trip on Opening Night.

New York is getting roasted for an awkward giveaway T-shirt gaffe, made funnier by the team proudly posting the evidence on social media.

Ahead of the ring ceremony on Tuesday, the Knicks previewed the shirts draped across every seat in the arena.

CARMELO ANTHONY SAYS LEBRON JAMES AND 76ERS CAN BE 'PROBLEM FOR EVERYONE,' INCLUDING REIGNING-CHAMPION KNICKS

Instead of honoring the actual 2025-26 title fans bled for, the shirts read "2026-27 Champions Night."

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Instead of quietly eating the reprint bill, the Knicks posted the evidence and let the internet have its way with them. Then again, misprints make fortunes in coin collecting. Maybe MSG didn't blow the giveaway so much as hand 20,000 fans a collector's item.

For good measure, they also hung their NBA Cup banner to crowd the rafters.

When that 2025-26 banner finally joins 1970 and 1973 to mark the franchise's third championship, it officially closes a miserable half-century drought, cementing this team into New York sports immortality.

Keeping that crown will be a nightmare. The East got a lot meaner over the summer, headlined by LeBron James taking his talents to Philadelphia. LeBron hunting one last ring with the Sixers feels cooked up specifically to ruin New York's party.

For now, the Knicks are on top of the basketball world.

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The helicopter that new 76ers superstar LeBron James uses to commute between New York and Philadelphia remains a topic of conversation in NBA circles. Just ahead of the league’s 2026-27 season, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver characterized the Fanatics-branded aircraft and the financial structure of the arrangement as "perfectly appropriate."

James played in the Sixers’ preseason finale Friday and was asked about the chatter surrounding his preferred method of travel on days when he needs to commute from the team’s facility to New York City.

"Yeah, I’ve done it before," and described the rotorcraft as "just another way of transportation."

"That’s all," James added.

Fanatics, which was founded by former 76ers minority owner Michael Rubin, is covering the costs associated with transporting James on the roughly 40-minute, one-way trip.

According to multiple reports, James’ estimated commute costs for Sixers home games are expected to total just under $1 million this season, depending on how often he uses the helicopter. The Athletic calculated that flying James to and from 41 home games at $4,000 per flight would create a $328,000 tab. That figure does not include trips for practices, though it also does not account for flight cancellations.

CARMELO ANTHONY SAYS LEBRON JAMES AND 76ERS CAN BE 'PROBLEM FOR EVERYONE,' INCLUDING REIGNING-CHAMPION KNICKS

In 2022, Rubin said he decided to sell his stake to "ensure our new businesses don’t conflict with my responsibilities as part-owner of the Sixers."

Rubin said in June 2022 that he decided to sell his stake "to ensure our new businesses don’t conflict with my responsibilities as part-owner of the Sixers." Rubin was part of the ownership group that purchased the 76ers for an estimated $290 million in 2011. But as Fanatics expanded into sports betting and other business ventures, Rubin decided it was time to sell his estimated 10% stake in Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment.

Rubin continues to be a self-described "life-long fan" of the team.

During an appearance on "The Pat McAfee Show," Silver made clear that there was no reason to be concerned about either the arrangement between James and Fanatics or potential salary-cap circumvention.

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"He has a deal with Fanatics," Silver said just hours before the Detroit Pistons rallied for a comeback win over the Boston Celtics to tip off the new season. " . . . Part of his deal is they're going to supply a helicopter to him as long as it's just a deal between the Fanatics and LeBron and no team is involved; there's no rules issue there whatsoever."

PHILADELPHIA ATHLETES, INCLUDING NEW TEAMMATES, REACT TO LEBRON JAMES JOINING 76ERS: 'WELCOME TO THE CITY'

After signing with the Sixers in free agency, James decided his primary residence would be in the country's largest city. He is not the first NBA player to do so while playing for Philadelphia. Los Angeles Lakers coach JJ Redick also lived in New York during his two seasons with the Sixers. But James’ decision to make the routine trip by helicopter has drawn particular attention.

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After 76ers practice has wrapped and news conferences are underway, James’ teammates have occasionally paused and laughed as the noise from his helicopter taking off from the roof of the team’s business center briefly drowns out their responses.

The 76ers visit Madison Square Garden to face the reigning champion New York Knicks Tuesday night.

While most fans in the stands at Madison Square Garden are looking forward to the New York Knicks lifting their first NBA title banner in 53 years on Tuesday night, there will be a minority excited for this new chapter with the Philadelphia 76ers, which will feature the league’s all-time leading scorer, LeBron James, during the 2026-27 season.

Expectations are just as high in Philadelphia as they are in New York this season, especially with James joining the likes of Joel Embiid, Jaylen Brown, Tyrese Maxey and V.J. Edgecombe on a team that could do damage in the Eastern Conference.

The Knicks are still the team to beat – they are the reigning champions after all – out of the East, but the 76ers are another early-season favorite to win the conference because of the star power.

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We’ve seen so-called "super teams" come and go throughout sports, and James was a part of one that ended up seeing success with one during his Miami Heat years. Could the same thing occur in Year 24 in the NBA, this time in Philly?

Either way, one NBA legend believes this is a dream scenario for the league, granted things turn out the way they’re supposed to on paper.

"Lebron in Philly is exactly the kind of storyline that the league thrives on," Carmelo Anthony told OutKick, while highlighting his role in DraftKings new campaign for the NBA season. "You got a guy who’s done everything in this game of basketball. He’s now in a new city with a hungry, starving fan base that was almost there a couple of seasons ago. So, that didn’t go anywhere. They’re not so far beyond that point. They still understand the process.

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"So, if they figure it out with the fit and time, they figure it out early, to me that’s important. They’re a problem for everyone in the East, including New York. Because they’re not going to let off the gas if they are healthy."

James figures to be a catalyst of sorts in this 76ers juggernaut, though there are questions surrounding his regular-season availability – he turns 42 in December – and what role he will play given the All-Star options around him.

As we saw with the Los Angeles Lakers, James didn’t mind wearing different hats. He played the leading scorer role if needed, facilitated as a pseudo point guard in some cases, and simply moved around the court to allow space for another star that was getting hot on the offensive end.

Philadelphia has 5 strong scorers when they tip off on Tuesday night in Manhattan, which is why the thought of this team fully healthy throughout the season is intriguing.

It’s also why some believe James is simply setting himself up for one more final push for a fifth NBA title ring. This group, in his eyes, is ready to make that run, so could this be his final year in the NBA?

"Now, I haven’t spoken to him about that part of it. But I would say just observing from afar and comprehending where he’s at mentally, he loves the game of basketball," Anthony replied when asked that exact questions. "He also loves challenges, right? I think this is a challenge that he distilled into himself that he’s willing to take on. He understands that this is Year 20-something in the league, and he’s not going to be able to do it the way [he did in the past]. He understands all of that. I don’t think he’s coming into Philly with that mentality.

"I think he’s coming I with, ‘I know I have a high-impact guard in Tyrese [Maxey]. I know I have a high-impact shooting guard in Jaylen Brown on both sides of the basketball. I know I have, when healthy, arguably the best big man in the game of basketball in Joel Embiid.’ He’s seeing all of these pieces – we got a young, explosive V.J. Edgecombe that he’s going to get better from an intellect standpoint. He’s going to learn the little intricacies of the game of basketball that LeBron understands. He’s going to teach that to him.

"I just like Philly, if they get it right and the fit and time, and they get it right early, they’ll be in the driver’s seat."

STAYING MELO WITH DRAFTKINGS

While Anthony is looking forward to what the Knicks do this season, he’s excited for his partnership with DraftKings and being a part of its campaign ahead of the season.

"We got a great campaign, man. Myself, Kevin Hart, Nick Jonas. We really came together, and I got to give a shoutout to DraftKings and that creative team for putting that concept together," he said. "The beauty in that is the fact that we can have more fun with DraftKings because it’s in all 50 states now, which is major. I just love the fact that more people are involved, and more people can have fun with the game of basketball in this sense, and just sports in general. I love that."

Anthony called it a "beautiful thing" being able to work alongside Hart and Jonas for the campaign, which he is excited for fans to see.

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With DraftKings available in all 50 states, the campaign revolves around Hart and Jonas traveling throughout the country, where car troubles can happen. As the tow truck figures out their situation, Anthony is waiting with his own car problems in the clip as he tries to get the word out about DraftKings.

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Washington, 20 oct (Prensa Latina) El comisionado adjunto la Liga estadounidense de baloncesto (NBA), Mark Tatum, auguró hoy éxitos a la futura Liga conjunta que se lanzará en 2027 con clubes europeos.

The post NBA augura éxitos en futura Liga conjunta con el baloncesto europeo first appeared on Noticias Prensa Latina.

I have always felt that, above any other league, the NBA does a great job of trying to provide the best matchups on the biggest days. The NBA Opening Day brings three phenomenal games. The first is between the Celtics and Pistons, and the last one of the night is between the Spurs and Thunder. Sandwiched between the two games is this one between the 76ers and the Knicks.

The Philadelphia 76ers are most people's pick to win the Eastern Conference this season. Their additions of Jaylen Brown and LeBron James are the main cause of all of the excitement. Adding those two players to the lineup with Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid, and VJ Edgecombe gives them arguably the best starting lineup in the league. Their bench is a bit thin, with just Anfernee Simons and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope as the main players. This team isn't built for the regular season; they are built for the playoffs.

There is obviously a long way to go before we get there. There will almost certainly be a learning period for the team to play together. There are now four guys on the team who could be the leading scorer for the team if they got the opportunity. There will be some questions about matchups and defense. There will be some struggles trying to play together. Those may come out tonight against a team with continuity and even more reason to be excited.

LEBRON JAMES’ 76ERS DEBUT SET FOR BLOCKBUSTER KNICKS SHOWDOWN AT MSG

The New York Knicks are raising a banner tonight and receiving their rings. That alone will make the entire fanbase of Madison Square Garden go nuts. This team has already captured the hearts of New York, and tonight is the final marker of the celebration from last year's championship. The Knicks have a deep starting lineup with Jalen Brunson being the superstar. Karl-Anthony Towns is still an elite option, and his backup, Andre Drummond, will help the team maintain some strength when he goes to the bench. I like him more than Mitchell Robinson, to be honest.

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I am most interested in seeing how the team responds after the opening ceremony. When the ball goes up for tip-off, it will essentially be the same as any other time. The Knicks have the edge in terms of familiarity. That helps quite a bit in basketball, but the big issue for them in this will be on defense. Teams have tried to exploit Brunson on defense for years, but against the 76ers, no matter who he guards, they will have the advantage.

The NBA Preseason doesn't always give us much insight, but I think there might be some opportunity for us to look into how the 76ers did their substitutions. They were trying to keep two of the four- James, Brown, Embiid, and Maxey- on the floor at all times. The Knicks might have a lot of adrenaline coming into the quarter, but I think the rotations for the 76ers, and being a bit amped up, might cause them to not shoot all that well. I think the total of 60.5 points in the first quarter is just a bit too high for this one. Give me the under 60.5 in the first quarter.

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For more sports betting information and plays, follow David on X/Twitter: @futureprez2024