Angel Reese smacks away clipboard during Sky’s loss
Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese lost her cool during the waning moments of the team’s loss on Tuesday, and took some of her frustration out on an assistant coach’s clipboard.
Reese was livid with a foul call that went against the Sky with about 30 seconds left in the game against the Washington Mystics at EagleBank Arena in Fairfax, Va. As Reese went to the sideline during a timeout, she was seen smacking the clipboard out of a Sky assistant’s hands.
Son im crying pic.twitter.com/hijck5ggVk
— Shabazz 💫 (@ShowCaseShabazz) July 8, 2025
Reese has been very frustrated with officiating lately, and that may have played into her frustrations here as well. The Mystics got four free throws during the final minute of play, including a pair with 2.1 seconds left to win the game 81-79.
Despite the circumstances, this is not a great look for Reese, who has a reputation for being aggressive at times. The staff member did not seem to care, but it probably is not something Reese should be in the habit of doing.
Reese tallied another double-double in the losing effort with 22 points and 15 rebounds. The defeat dropped Chicago to just 5-13 on the season despite the gaudy numbers she put up.
Lakers legend says Luka Doncic needs to have 1 offseason focus
Luka Doncic appears to be taking the concerns about his weight seriously this offseason, but one Los Angeles Lakers legend believes there is one other area where the five-time All-Star needs to focus more of his attention.
Robert Horry, who won three of his seven NBA titles with the Lakers, was asked during a Tuesday appearance on “The Dan Patrick Show” about the ongoing talk regarding Doncic’s weight and conditioning. Horry said he is far less concerned about Doncic’s weight than he is about the former Rookie of the Year’s defensive effort.
“I don’t care about his weight. You need to get him in the gym and teach him how to play defense,” Horry said. “You know, that’s the thing, because you can give someone 40 points, but if you’re giving up 35 on the other end, those 40 points don’t mean anything.”
Horry, who currently works as a commentator for Spectrum SportsNet, believes Doncic has to “want to play defense.”
“He gets blown by and they’re getting layups. If you watch stretches of games where Luka just stayed in front, because he’s a big body, offensive players are bouncing off him if he stays in front,” Horry added. “He needs to want to play defense, because so many times he saves his energy for the offensive side.”
Dan Patrick Show:
— MrBuckBuck (@MrBuckBuckNBA) July 8, 2025
Laker Legend Robert Horry: "I don't care about his (Luka) weight. You need to get him in a gym and teach him how to play Defense. You know, that's the thing because you can give someone 40 points, but if you're giving up 35 on the other end, those 40 points… pic.twitter.com/CONxCvknxA
Doncic seems to be fully committed to slimming down before his first full season with the Lakers. He is said to have dropped a significant amount of weight and looked shockingly skinny in a recent photo with a fan.
Even Lakers head coach J.J. Redick has challenged Doncic to get into better shape.
While being in better shape should benefit Doncic, Horry emphasized that it will not solve everything. The way Horry sees it, Doncic’s explosiveness on the offensive end proves that he is capable of sticking with players on the defensive end.
Ideally, the Lakers would like to see a bit of both. If Doncic gets into better shape and dedicates time to improving his defense, he will be an even greater asset in L.A.
Jalen Brunson’s dad is being demoted by Knicks
Jalen Brunson’s father is getting demoted by the New York Knicks under new head coach Mike Brown.
Rick Brunson will retain a lesser role on the Knicks’ bench next season as Brown hires his own associate head coach, according to Stefan Bondy of the New York Post. Brunson is on board with the move.
“This is what’s best for the organization and the players,” a source told Bondy.
The move is at least partly meant to counter the perception that Brunson has outsized influence over a team on which his son is the star player. Some unflattering reports emerged after the season ended suggesting Brunson’s presence was viewed unfavorably by other players, and that he was viewed as the most powerful member of the organization. A demotion might not fully counter those claims, but it will presumably give Brown the chance to assert his own authority after being hired as coach.
There have certainly been times where Brunson’s presence has been a distraction. Whatever his role on the staff is, it is pretty easy to make accusations about impropriety or conflicts of interest.
Rick Brunson was hired as an assistant head coach in 2022, just before Jalen joined the team as a free agent. That signing has been a coup for the Knicks, but three years later, it might be time for his father to take on a lesser role around the team.
Rex Ryan wore legendary shirt for 4th of July
Rex Ryan had himself a blast over the 4th of July weekend, and the former NFL head coach wore the shirt to prove it.
Sage Steele shared a photo on social media on Tuesday that showed her posing with Ryan and fellow former ESPN host Sam Ponder. Ryan had his arm around Steele and Ponder and was happily sporting one of the best 4th of July shirts you will ever see.
The shirt said “Just Here to Bang.”
“If Rex Ryan’s t-shirt doesn’t make your day like it made mine (and @samponder) not sure what will. Happy belated 4th of July!” Steele wrote on X.
If Rex Ryan’s t-shirt doesn’t make your day like it made mine (and @samponder 😂) not sure what will. Happy belated 4th of July!
— Sage Steele (@sagesteele) July 8, 2025
😂❤️🤍💙 pic.twitter.com/L02p6a2gPG
Ryan currently works as an analyst for ESPN. In addition to being a former head coach and defensive mastermind, he is known for his great sense of humor and lack of filter. We have seen countless examples of that over the years, especially when Ryan has trolled himself over his foot fetish.
Steele and Ponder both left ESPN in recent years for controversial reasons that were similar, but it looks like they have maintained a close relationship with Ryan. With shirts like that, it is easy to see why.
Anthony Davis underwent surgery to address nasty injury
Anthony Davis missed time because of an abductor strain after he was traded to the Dallas Mavericks last season, but that was not the only significant injury that the 10-time All-Star dealt with.
Davis recently underwent surgery to repair a detached retina that he suffered during the season, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported on Tuesday.
Davis is expected to be fully recovered by the start of training camp.
Dallas Mavericks All-Star Anthony Davis underwent a procedure to repair a detached retina that he suffered during the season, sources tell ESPN. Davis played through multiple hits to the face last year. He is expected to be healthy for next training camp. pic.twitter.com/Yz8vxBlp06
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 8, 2025
A detached retina is typically an emergency situation that requires immediate surgery, so it is unclear why Davis did not have the procedure sooner.
As Charania noted, Davis was hit in the face multiple times during the season. He took a vicious elbow to the right eye from a teammate while fighting for a loose ball during an April game against the Atlanta Hawks (video here). Davis briefly left that game but was able to return.
Davis is entering his first full season with the Mavericks after they acquired him when they traded Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers. Kyrie Irving is expected to miss much of the 2025-26 season as he recovers from a torn ACL. Dallas will be relying on Davis and rookie No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg in Irving’s absence.
Brad Stevens expects Celtics to lose key player
The Boston Celtics parted ways with two of their best players recently when they traded Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis, and president of basketball operations Brad Stevens is bracing for another to depart.
Stevens told reporters on Tuesday that he believes it is “unlikely” the Celtics will re-sign veteran big man Al Horford. Stevens said the team has made an offer to Horford, but it sounds like the expectation is that the 39-year-old will move on.
“We made offers to both Luke (Kornet) and Al (Horford). We would love to have both of them back. I’d say that’s unlikely,” Stevens said. “The only reason I haven’t talked about Al is because it’s not final. I could probably talk about Al my whole press conference and not say enough, but I don’t want to speak in absolute terms until an ultimate decision is made.”
Stevens added that he views Horford as “an all-time Celtic”
Asked Brad Stevens if resigning Al Horford is still a priority:
— Justin Turpin (@JustinmTurpin) July 8, 2025
“I don't know what I can say about this or not say about it. I mean, we made offers to both Luke and Al. We would’ve loved to have had both of them back. I'd say that's unlikely. The only reason I haven't talked… pic.twitter.com/5DWxIkpBNR
The Celtics have been trying to get below the second apron, which is why they traded Holiday and Porzingis. They probably know that Horford is going to receive better offers from other teams.
Horford, a five-time All-Star, averaged 9.0 points and 6.2 rebounds in 27.7 minutes per game for Boston this past season. He can hit the occasional three-pointer and has made 37.7 percent of his career attempts from beyond the arc. Horford is also a strong rebounder and low-post defender.
Jayson Tatum is also expected to miss most — if not all — of the 2025-26 season, so the Celtics are unlikely to be the highest bidder for Horford with their championship aspirations in question for next year.
Horford has reportedly drawn significant interest from contending teams. He should find a new home in the near future.
Dwight Howard’s wife files for divorce 6 months after marriage
Dwight Howard shared some surprising news late last year when he revealed that he was engaged, but the former NBA star’s new marriage did not last very long.
Howard announced in December 2024 that he had gotten engaged to rapper Amber Rose, who goes by Amy Luciani to avoid confusion with the famous model and influencer Amber Rose. Very few people knew that Howard and Rose were in a relationship prior to that.
According to a report from TMZ on Tuesday, things between Howard and Rose did not work out. Court documents show that Rose filed for a divorce from Howard in Georgia on July 1, stating that “the marriage is irretrievably broken” and “there are no prospects for reconciliation.”
The documents state that Howard and Rose got married on Jan. 11.
Rose has asked that all marital assets be “equitably divided” and is seeking alimony.
Rose is known for her rap career as Luciani and for being part of the cast of the television show “Love and Hip-Hop: Atlanta.”
Howard, 39, currently plays in the Big3 for the Los Angeles Riot. The eight-time NBA All-Star has five children by five different women. Howard was embroiled in a since-dismissed lawsuit last year in which details of his sex life went public.
The divorce is not the only issue Howard has had in his personal life recently. The three-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year took to social media last month to ask for help after his dog was killed in a hit-and-run accident.
Kirk Cousins says he felt ‘misled’ by Falcons
Kirk Cousins tried his best to take the high road after the Atlanta Falcons made the shocking decision to draft Michael Penix Jr., but the veteran quarterback clearly was not happy about the situation.
The Falcons signed Cousins to a massive contract last offseason that included $100 million in guaranteed money. They then drafted Penix with the No. 8 overall pick, which virtually no one saw coming.
When asked at the time if he would have reconsidered signing with Atlanta had he known about the draft plans, Cousins said he does not “deal in hypotheticals.”
Cousins was much more candid during the filming of Netflix’s newest “Quarterback” series, which premiered on Tuesday. The four-time Pro Bowl QB admitted he felt a “little bit misled” by the Falcons. Cousins also said he would have preferred to remain with the Minnesota Vikings, who were committed to drafting a quarterback, had he known Atlanta was going to do the same.
“Certainly, if I had the information around free agency, it certainly would’ve affected my decision,” Cousins said, via ESPN’s Marc Raimondi. “I had no reason to leave Minnesota with how much we loved it there if both teams are going to be drafting a quarterback high. But I’ve also learned in 12 years in this league that you’re not entitled to anything. It’s all about being able to earn your spot and prove yourself.”
The Vikings, of course, would not have given Cousins $100 million guaranteed. They were committed to moving on at that point and drafted J.J. McCarthy with the No. 10 overall pick. But if Cousins did not have many options outside of Atlanta, it is possible he would have returned to Minnesota on some sort of bridge deal.
The Falcons have tried to trade Cousins, but no one wants to take on the remainder of his 4-year, $180 million contract. The 36-year-old also has a no-trade clause and probably is not inclined to waive it unless he has a clear path to a starting job elsewhere.
For now, Cousins appears committed to being the highest-paid backup in the NFL.
MLB agent being investigated for alleged financial misconduct
The MLB Players Association is reportedly investigating an agent over allegations of financial misconduct.
Yasser Mendez, an agent who was formerly with Rep 1 Baseball, is being investigated by the MLBPA over a grievance that was filed by Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Johan Rojas in August 2024. According to documents that were reviewed by Brittany Ghiroli of The Athletic, Mendez is accused of misleading Rojas and giving harmful financial advice.
Rojas claims in the grievance that Mendez advised him to take out two separate advances against future MLB contracts in 2019 and 2022 that totaled $875,000. Mendez then allegedly convinced Rojas to invest $450,000 in 4Pro, which is Mendez’s Venezuelan-based baseball academy. Mendez told Rojas that the then-minor leaguer would see returns of more than 25 percent on his investment.
Rojas also accuses Mendez of underpaying Rojas’ taxes in 2020 and not paying them at all in 2022 after Mendez told Rojas that some of the roughly $450,000 would be used to cover tax liabilities.
The grievance states that the advice from Mendez was “intentionally, recklessly, or negligently wrong for Rojas.”
Rep 1 Baseball was acquired by Klutch Sports in 2023. A lawyer for Klutch told The Athletic that Mendez was terminated in 2024, though he did not provide a reason. The attorney also said that “neither Klutch nor any of its employees had knowledge of the alleged conduct described in this article.”
Andrew Latack, a lawyer who represents Klutch and Rep 1 Baseball, said in a response to the grievance that Rojas has tried to extort the agency out of $7.5 million. The response claimed Mendez discouraged Rojas from taking out advances against future earnings but that Rojas “voluntarily and eagerly participated in the investments.”
The Athletic reports that at least one other player, New York Yankees infielder Oswald Peraza, took out loans against future earnings to invest in Mendez’s academy while he was represented by Mendez. It is unclear if those investments are part of the MLBPA’s investigation.
The allegations against Mendez are similar to allegations that Fernando Tatis Jr. made in a recent lawsuit that was filed by the San Diego Padres star.
Rojas is in his third MLB season with the Phillies. He is batting .226 through 63 games this year.
Book reveals new reasons Caitlin Clark was snubbed from Olympic team
Many fans were outraged when Caitlin Clark was left off the roster for the women’s U.S. Olympic team in Paris last summer, and a new book has provided more context about the controversial decision.
Clark was not one of the 12 players who won a gold medal with Team USA following a thrilling 67-66 win over host nation France in the women’s basketball final. The Indiana Fever star was already one of the most popular players in the WNBA at the time and had averaged 16.8 points, 5.3 rebounds and 6.3 assists per game through her first 16 games.
USA Today’s Christine Brennan reported at the time that one of the reasons Clark was left off the team was that USA Basketball feared backlash from Clark’s fans if the former Iowa star saw limited playing time in Paris. Brennan reiterated that and went into further detail in her new book “On Her Game: Caitlin Clark and the Revolution in Women’s Sports,” which was released on Tuesday.
Brennan wrote that USA Basketball was “concerned about critical posts on X and Facebook and the like” and that the organization “didn’t want to deal,” according to Christian Arnold of the New York Post. The reporter also noted that there were really only 11 roster spots because Diana Taurasi was a lock for the team as a “farewell present by USA Basketball.”
Taurasi had won five gold medals with Team USA, and the sixth was a record. Brennan says the team was committed to giving Taurasi a roster spot “unless she was totally injured and couldn’t play.”
Of course, many fans believed that Clark was left off the team because some of her peers were jealous of her and did not want her stealing the spotlight. Clark chose to take the high road when asked about the snub.
New unflattering rumor about Rafael Devers surfaces
Rafael Devers has expressed a willingness to play first base for the San Francisco Giants, but the slugger’s actions may tell a different story.
The Boston Red Sox traded Devers to the Giants in a stunning blockbuster deal last month. During his introductory press conference with his new team, Devers said he was open to playing first base or any other position the Giants wanted him to play.
According to Red Sox radio broadcaster Will Flemming, the Giants attempted to have Devers put in some work at first base with franchise legend Will Clark. Devers apparently did not show up to the session with the former first baseman.
“They don’t yet know what is gonna happen with the player. I was there the second day. Will Clark was there to work on ground balls with him at first base and Raffy didn’t show up,” Flemming said Monday. “So, that’s the person that these guys have been dealing with for a long time.”
Rafael Devers was invited to workout at 1B with the Giants legend Will Clark and he decided to not show up.
— Boston Strong (@BostonStrong_34) July 8, 2025
Via: @WillFlemming
pic.twitter.com/APPepkPX5L
Clark is a six-time All-Star and former Gold Glove Award winner. His No. 22 jersey is retired by the Giants. If Devers actually did stand Clark up, that is certainly a bad look.
Devers was angry with the Red Sox when they signed Alex Bregman over the winter and moved Devers from third base to DH. After Triston Casas suffered a season-ending injury in May, the Red Sox approached Devers about the idea of playing first base. Devers refused and publicly bashed the team’s front office.
That is why fans in Boston were unhappy when Devers said he would play first with the Giants.
Devers had played in 20 games for San Francisco entering Tuesday, and none of them were at first base. It is possible that is the way it will stay, at least for the remainder of his first season with the Giants.
Umpire Phil Cuzzi makes terrible calls against Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies fans were furious with umpire Phil Cuzzi over some of his calls in Monday night’s game.
The Phillies lost 3-1 to the San Francisco Giants in their game at Oracle Park. There were a few bad calls during the eighth inning made by Cuzzi, who was the homeplate umpire in the game.
In the top of the eighth inning, Bryce Harper was batting with a runner on first with nobody out. Cuzzi called the first two pitches against him strikes even though they were out of the zone.
Insane calls from Phil Cuzzi on Harper tonight lmao pic.twitter.com/ysWsEFT9KQ
— Dave Doc (@DDoc42) July 8, 2025
Harper ended up grounding out in the at-bat, and the Phillies stranded Kyle Schwarber at second.
In the bottom of the 8th, Orion Kerkering was pitching to Matt Chapman with a runner on first. He threw three consecutive 2-strike pitches that were in the zone. Cuzzi called all three pitches balls.
PHIL CUZZI SCREWING THE PHILLIES
— Philly Sports Sufferer (@mccrystal_alex) July 8, 2025
IN ALL ITS GLORY pic.twitter.com/IR922DbSmL
Thanks to receiving the benefit on the calls, Chapman’s at-bat was extended and the count went full. He ended up singling to right and playing a key role in a 2-run rally to help his Giants go up 3-1, which ended up as the final score.
You see those missed calls and can understand why Phillies fans were upset.
Phil Cuzzi should never be allowed to umpire another game again. This is atrocious and completely unacceptable. #Phillies @MLBUA pic.twitter.com/1Vy97V5VBU
— Matt Higgins (@MattHiggins80) July 8, 2025
Lakers player notably decides to waive his no-trade clause
The Los Angeles Lakers will have one additional chess piece on the board if they want to go big-game hunting.
Lakers center Jaxson Hayes has decided to waive his no-trade clause to re-sign with the team, Dan Woike of the Los Angeles Times reported on Monday. As a result, the only trade restriction on Hayes will be that he cannot get moved until mid-December (as is the case with any free agent who signs a new deal over the summer).
Hayes decided to return to the Lakers on a one-year deal earlier this month. It was a fairly surprising move on Hayes’ part since he was previously reported to be unhappy with the team.
Per the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement, an implied no-trade clause arises when a player signs a one-year deal (or a two-year deal with an option in the second year) with the team that he previously played for. The player has the option of waiving that implied no-trade clause however in order to potentially facilitate a move elsewhere. That previously happened with the Lakers and former guard D’Angelo Russell (who signed a new deal with the team in 2023, waived his implied no-trade clause, and was eventually traded away by the team in 2024).
The former lottery pick Hayes, 25, made 35 starts for the Lakers last season but now returns as their backup center after the addition of Deandre Ayton earlier this summer. Hayes, a seven-footer, managed to post 6.8 points and 4.8 rebounds per game in 2024-25 but is likely to see a decrease in his numbers if Ayton is able to maintain the Lakers’ starting center job next season.
In waiving his implied no-trade clause, Hayes will give the Lakers some increased flexibility to make upgrades and will also open the door for himself to potentially end up in a better situation elsewhere. The Lakers probably won’t be adding another center in free agency with both Ayton and Hayes now in town. But they have been linked to a couple of noteworthy centers on the trade market in months past.
Kevon Looney sparks Rick James jokes with his unexpected new look
Kevon Looney looks like he is ready to put his boots up on your new suede couch.
Looney, who recently agreed to terms with the New Orleans Pelicans in free agency, officially signed his new contract with the team on Monday. The Pelicans posted a photo to X of Looney putting pen to paper.
pen to paper for the big man, @Loon_Rebel5 pic.twitter.com/Zx8UtVnTQT
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) July 7, 2025
Social media users were a bit taken aback by Looney’s new appearance with the long dreadlocks (that almost made him look like he had a Jheri curl). As a result, jokes began flying about how much Looney resembled the late Rick James (or least the Dave Chappelle version of James).
Lookin like pic.twitter.com/mU5OMzMJPY
— jotham the 1st 🇺🇬 (@JothamKitara) July 7, 2025
— TheBlueprint™² (@Carlito_336) July 7, 2025
waaaaait a minute pic.twitter.com/fsF9kft7Sa
— HumbleForever (@DaRealSkeet) July 8, 2025
— Jay (@JayHardy252) July 7, 2025
The 29-year-old Looney made the stunning decision to sign with the Pelicans on a multi-year deal after spending the first 10 seasons of his NBA career with the Golden State Warriors. Looney was part of three total Golden State championship teams (in 2017, 2018, and 2022) as an important blue-collar role player who helped man the interior on both ends of the floor.
For the Pelicans next season, Looney, who averaged 4.5 points and 6.1 rebounds in a mere 15.0 minutes per game last season, should be able to do more of the same. Yves Missi, 21, and Derik Queen, 20, will be Looney’s main competition for center minutes, so the former UCLA star is set to provide some valuable frontcourt experience.
As for Looney’s hair, he has played with dreadlocks before but never quite that … free-flowing. Perhaps Looney learned that one from his former star teammate who actually has a tattoo of the “Super Freak” hitmaker James.
Family of ex-Giants pitcher among those missing in Texas floods
Family members of a former MLB pitcher are among the missing in this month’s devastating floods in Texas.
Ex-San Francisco Giants pitcher Tyler Walker has multiple family members who are unaccounted for amid recent flooding in Central Texas, David Hernandez of The San Francisco Chronicle reported this week. Mark Walker, 51, Sara Walker, 50, and Johnny Walker, 14, were identified as the missing individuals.
Mark Walker is Tyler Walker’s older brother while Sara and Johnny are Mark’s wife and son. Kathy Walker, the mother of Mark and Tyler, said that she last spoke with her older son late last week. The family’s house along the Guadalupe River was washed away by the floods, Kathy says, and she hasn’t heard from Mark, Sara, or Johnny ever since then (though Kathy noted that Mark’s 16-year-old daughter Ellie is safe and accounted for).
You can read Hernandez’s full report on the situation here.
Tyler Walker, a right-hander, pitched in Major League Baseball as a reliever from 2002-10. He was best known for his run with the Giants from 2004-08 but also pitched for the New York Mets, the then-Tampa Bay Devil Rays, the Philadelphia Phillies and the Washington Nationals. Tyler had a career record of 23-18 with a 4.23 ERA over 286 total big-league appearances.
As of Monday night, the death toll from the catastrophic floods in Central Texas had risen to at least 104. Rescue teams in the area continue the search for survivors as at least 41 people are still missing.
Carlos Alcaraz hit a ridiculous winner against Andrey Rublev
Carlos Alcaraz hit a ridiculous winner during his fourth-round match against Andrey Rublev at Wimbledon on Sunday.
Alcaraz defeated Rublev 6-7 (5), 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 on Centre Court at the All England Club. The Spaniard had a break point opportunity at 3-3 in the third set. He showed incredible speed to chase down one ball and return it. Then Rublev hit a backhand down the line that looked like it would go for a winner, but Alcaraz chased it down and ripped a cross-court winner.
CARLOS ALCARAZ IS UNREAL 😱
— ESPN (@espn) July 6, 2025
📺: ABC pic.twitter.com/qc0FxkBt4E
That was beautiful.
Alcaraz has incredible speed and utilizes it quite well. It’s one of the best features about his game and part of what makes him so dangerous as a player.
Alcaraz has won Wimbledon two years in a row. He’s looking to make it three times in a row, which would give him six majors overall. He is set to face Cameron Norrie in the quarterfinals. Taylor Fritz, Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic are among the tougher players who remain in the draw.
Umpire CB Bucknor produces yet another horrendous strike 3 call
CB Bucknor has gotten extremely consistent with his inconsistency.
The veteran MLB umpire Bucknor sparked backlash online Monday with his latest atrocious call. Bucknor was behind home plate for Monday’s game between the Chicago White Sox and the Toronto Blue Jays at Rate Field in Chicago, Ill.
During the second inning, Bucknor rung up Chicago’s Josh Rojas on a 2-2 changeup that appeared to be both low and away. You can see the video of the awful call at the link here.
MLB Gameday showed just how far the pitch missed the zone.
He called that strike three! CB Buckner is horrible. He already has missed several calls for both teams and it’s only the second inning. pic.twitter.com/n4OYMCTSYc
— Mark (@HogesinCary) July 8, 2025
Bucknor also went on to cost the White Sox during the top half of the third inning. During an at-bat by Toronto’s Nathan Lukes, Bucknor missed an obvious strike that was thrown by White Sox pitcher Sean Burke.
CB Bucknor is incompetent. pic.twitter.com/WlUuKzzBbC
— Ian Eskridge (@dailywhitesox) July 8, 2025
The 62-year-old Bucknor has been an MLB umpire ever since 1996 but still has yet to get any better. He has been blatantly blowing calls behind the plate for at least a decade now, and his struggles have continued into 2025 as well. Earlier this season, Bucknor somehow managed to screw up four separate strikeout calls in a single game.
With Angel Hernandez now retired, Bucknor has taken on the title of MLB’s single worst umpire in the eyes of many fans. He is especially known for his entirely unpredictable strike zone, and the White Sox got a real taste of that during Monday’s game.
Angel Reese complains over social media about WNBA officiating
Angel Reese is beginning the week by airing out her grievances.
The Chicago Sky star Reese drew attention on Sunday by openly complaining about the WNBA’s officiating. Reese and the Sky lost to the Minnesota Lynx earlier in the day by an 80-75 final score at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minn. The two-time All-Star Reese finished with an impressive 16-17-6 stat line on 7/16 shooting during the contest but only earned two total free throw attempts (both of which she made).
After the loss, Reese took to her X page to repost a screenshot from the game. The screenshot showed a Lynx defender with her arm wrapped around Reese’s waist as Reese was going up with the ball.
“Diabolical,” Reese wrote in her caption.
diabolical. https://t.co/37mPKM7HO2
— Angel Reese (@Reese10Angel) July 7, 2025
In a separate post, Reese also co-signed on a message from another user who wrote, “‘Idc if I get fined bc that s–t cheap’” (profanity edited by LBS). Reese included her own caption that read, “idgaf. DO BETTER. @WNBA.”
The 23-year-old Reese takes the majority of her shots from closer to the basket. But she is averaging a modest 4.4 free throw attempts per game this season, which ranks 12th in the WNBA and is down from the 5.2 free throws per game that Reese averaged as a rookie last season. By the same token, the Sky as a team average 18.3 free throw attempts per game, which is 10th of 13 in the league.
Some might not be inclined to take Reese seriously here as she is very much known for her outspoken nature. But the officiating in the WNBA has been a common source of frustration for many players this season from Brittney Griner to even Caitlin Clark.
Caitlin Clark-Paige Bueckers matchup gets notable venue change
The upcoming Indiana Fever-Dallas Wings game is moving on up in the world.
The Wings announced on Monday that their home game on Aug. 1 against the Fever has been moved to American Airlines Center in Dallas, Tex. Originally, the game was scheduled to be played at College Park Center in Arlington, Tex. (which is on the University of Texas campus and is also where the Wings usually play their home games).
College Park Center only has a capacity of 7,000 fans though. At American Airlines Center, the Wings will now be able to host roughly 20,000 fans.
The Aug. 1 game could mark the first matchup in the WNBA between Fever star Caitlin Clark (the No. 1 overall pick in 2024) and Wings star Paige Bueckers (the No. 1 overall pick in 2025). The two teams already played on June 27 with the Fever defeating the Wings by a 94-86 final score. But they did so without Clark, who remains sidelined with a groin injury.
It is possible that Clark could be back in action and face Bueckers for the first time on July 13 when the Fever host the Wings at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Ind. (which seats 18,000 fans). But Aug. 1 will be the next opportunity for a Clark-Bueckers matchup in Texas.
Clark, 23, is the single biggest star in the WNBA right now and was even the subject of a breathtaking new billboard that went up in Indianapolis. Meanwhile, Bueckers, also 23, is having a nice rookie season of her own with 18.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 5.7 assists per game. Bueckers still has a long way to go to catch Clark, but finally getting a head-to-head matchup against her would certainly be a great place to start.
Jannik Sinner had classy message for Grigor Dimitrov after injury
Jannik Sinner caught a break that may have helped him advance to the Wimbledon quarterfinals on Monday, but the world’s No. 1 player certainly did not celebrate it.
Sinner appeared to be in danger of being eliminated at Wimbledon after he dropped the first two sets of his match against Grigor Dimitrov, but Dimitrov was unable to make it past the third set. The Bulgarian was forced to retire from play due to an injured pectoral muscle, which allowed Sinner to automatically advance.
Sinner put his arm around Dimitrov and wished him well as the two exited the court.
A sight we never want to see.
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 7, 2025
Grigor Dimitrov is forced to retire while leading two sets to love. Everyone at #Wimbledon is wishing you a speedy recovery, Grigor 💚💜 pic.twitter.com/qBwiMbq3e2
After the match, Sinner called Dimitrov an “incredible player. Sinner said he does not feel like he beat his opponent.
“Seeing him in this position, honestly if there would be a chance that he would play the next round, he would deserve it. Mostly, I hope he has a speedy recovery,” Sinner said. “Very, very unlucky from his side. I don’t take this as a win at all. This is just a very unfortunate moment to witness for all of us”
"I don't take this as a win at all."
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 7, 2025
Jannik Sinner was full of respect for his friend Grigor Dimitrov after he was forced to retire.#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/bQTsxUM8Mu
Sinner also shared a photo on X that showed him arm-in-arm with Dimitrov.
“Get well soon, my friend. Wishing you all the best,” Sinner wrote.
Get well soon, my friend. Wishing you all the best ❤️🩹 @GrigorDimitrov pic.twitter.com/pKvd9hnDOB
— Jannik Sinner (@janniksin) July 7, 2025
It remains to be seen if Sinner can make a deep run at Wimbledon, as he is not fully healthy, either. He hurt his elbow after falling during the first game against Dimitrov and said he is scheduled to undergo an MRI on Tuesday.
Sinner is a month removed from a French Open final that is widely considered to be one of the greatest tennis matches of all time, though he is likely not happy with the way he lost to Carlos Alcaraz.
