The man inside the suit playing “Rocky,” Drake Solomon, alleged in a lawsuit Wednesday that Kroenke Sports & Entertainment fired him in August 2024, months after he had hip replacement surgery, The Denver Post reported.
The lawsuit accuses the Nuggets of violating the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act through discrimination based on disability, retaliation and two claims of aiding and abetting unfair employment practices against Solomon’s supervisors. It asks for an unspecified amount of money.
“I grew up around it my entire life,” Solomon told 9News. He took on the role of Rocky from his father, Kenn, who wore the suit for three decades before retiring in 2021.
“I had a strong loyalty to this company since I was two weeks old on the court, and it was just heartbreaking, not just for me, but for my family as well,” he said.
The longtime mascot of the Denver Nuggets is suing the NBA team’s parent company, claiming wrongful termination after he underwent hip replacement surgery. (Getty Images)
Following his father’s retirement from the high-energy costume character role, Solomon said he was the only person invited to try out to play the beloved Rocky.
However, issues started to rise soon after taking on the physically demanding role. Solomon developed hip pain and was diagnosed with avascular necrosis, a disease caused by the loss of blood supply to the bone, according to the lawsuit.
Solomon underwent two surgeries to try and fix the issue, one in March 2023 and then a hip replacement in April 2024, according to the filing.
He was told there would be an open tryout for the position “regardless of the outcome” of his surgery — even though Solomon told his supervisors his doctors expected him to make a full recovery in a matter of months, the suit claims.
When Solomon returned to work on May 20, he was met with hostility, according to the lawsuit. Even though he performed the duties of his job that summer, management still held tryouts for the position ahead of the 2024-2025 season.
Drake Solomon, the man inside the Rocky costume, says he was wrongfully terminated from his role as the Denver Nuggets’ mascot following issues with his hip. (Getty Images)
Solomon claims in the lawsuit that during auditions, he completed all the physical requirements — and even taught other applicants how to dunk in the Rocky costume.
He was fired soon after tryouts, and management did not provide a reason at the time, the lawsuit alleges. The NBA team’s parent company later claimed he was let go because he did not score first in the tryouts.
Solomon’s complaint also calls for a potential class action lawsuit, stemming from the severance agreement he was offered upon firing.
“It was not easy to go ahead with this because I love the Nuggets,” Solomon told the Colorado Sun. “They’ve been my whole life and my family. For things to end the way they did it was pretty heartbreaking.”
“We loved Rocky our entire lives,” he added. “We always looked at the Nuggets as a second family and Rocky as a second dad. For it to end so cold … it’s kind of like losing a family member. My dad was pretty devastated when he heard. He was the one that suggested I look into seeing what I can do to make some wrongs right.”
Solomon claims management offered the same severance agreement, which he claims is unlawful, or a similar one to several other employees.
The Denver Nuggets did not immediately respond to a request for comment fromThe Independent .
With that, here are a handful of reunion games Green Teamers will want to circle on their calendars now that the 2025-26 NBA schedule has been released. (All games on NBC Sports Boston unless otherwise noted, and home games are listed in bold.)
Atlanta Hawks (Porzingis)
Jan. 17, 2026:Celtics at Hawks, 7:30 p.m. ET
Jan. 28, 2026: Celtics vs. Hawks, 7:30 p.m. ET
March 27, 2026: Celtics vs. Hawks, 7:30 p.m. ET
March 30, 2026: Celtics at Hawks, 7:30 p.m. ET
Porzingis, who was traded to the Hawks in a three-team deal on June 24, was a fan-favorite during his two seasons in Boston. The 30-year-old big man played a pivotal role in helping the Celtics win their long-awaited Banner 18 so fans are sure to show their support when he steps on the parquet.
The first Boston-Atlanta matchup is on the road, but Porzingis will play at TD Garden twice in late January and late March.
Portland Trail Blazers (Holiday)
Dec. 28: Celtics at Blazers, 6 p.m. ET
Jan. 26, 2026: Celtics vs. Blazers, 8 p.m. ET
Holiday was the first member of the 2024 championship team to go when the veteran guard was dealt to Portland on June 23. Boston acquired Anfernee Simons in what ultimately was a 1-for-1 player swap, though the financial savings were the driving factor for president of basketball operations Brad Stevens.
Holiday will make his return to Boston two days before Porzingis in late January.
San Antonio Spurs (Kornet)
Jan. 10, 2026: Celtics vs. Spurs, 8 p.m. ET
March 10, 2026: Celtics at Spurs, 8 p.m. ET
Kornet agreed to a four-year, $41 million deal with the Spurs on June 30. Stevens hoped to retain the rim-running big man, but ultimately Boston couldn’t match the green.
Kornet was a favorite in the locker room and in the media during his three-plus seasons with the Celtics, and is sure to receive a warm welcome when he returns to TD Garden on Jan. 10.
Golden State Warriors (likely Horford)
Feb. 19, 2026: Celtics at Warriors, 10 p.m. ET
March 18, 2026: Celtics vs. Warriors, 7 p.m. ET
Horford hasn’t finalized any agreement, but rumors have linked the 39-year-old to Golden State since the start of NBA free agency six weeks ago. While Stevens hoped to re-sign the veteran big man, he admitted it was “unlikely” Horford returns.
It’s been reported Horford could consider retirement, but we’re going to pencil him in for a spot alongside superstar Steph Curry and a return to TD Garden in March.
Utah Jazz (Niang)
Nov. 3: Celtics vs. Jazz, 7:30 p.m. ET
Dec. 30: Celtics at Jazz, 9 p.m. ET
Who could forget the Georges Niang era, right? Boston acquired Niang and two second-round picks when Porzingis was traded to Atlanta. Niang, a Massachusetts native, was mentioned in trade speculation pretty much as soon as he arrived in Boston given the team’s financial standing.
The Boston Celtics will look a whole lot different in 2025-26.
After falling to the New York Knicks in the second round of the 2025 playoffs and losing Jayson Tatum to a ruptured Achilles tendon, the Celtics made significant roster changes: Out are 2024 NBA champions Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porzingis, Luke Kornet and (presumably) Al Horford, and in are the likes of Anfernee Simons, Luka Garza, Josh Minott, RJ Luis Jr. and first-round pick Hugo Gonzalez.
Considering Boston will be without five members of last season’s eight-man rotation to start the season, expectations have been lowered for Joe Mazzulla’s club. But with Jaylen Brown, Derrick White and Payton Pritchard set to assume larger roles, it’s certainly possible the C’s could exceed those expectations while embracing the role of underdog.
We’ll start finding out in just over two months, as the NBA’s regular season begins the week of Oct. 20. Here’s everything you need to know about the Celtics’ 2025-26 schedule, including links to download a PDF version of the schedule and how to watch the Celtics on NBC Sports Boston:
When does the Celtics’ regular season begin?
The new-look Celtics begin their journey on Wednesday, Oct. 22, when they’ll open the 2025-26 regular season against the Philadelphia 76ers. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Boston.
Where can I watch Celtics games this season?
NBC Sports Boston will broadcast a majority of Boston Celtics games during the 2025-26 NBA season, in addition to full pregame, halftime and postgame coverage of every game. Tune in an hour before each game for Celtics Pregame Live, at halftime for Celtics Halftime Live and immediately after the game for Celtics Postgame Live.
Select games also will air on NBC, Peacock, ESPN and Amazon Prime.
How can I watch the Celtics on NBC Sports Boston?
For information on how to watch NBC Sports Boston’s Celtics coverage on television, click here.
For information on how to stream NBC Sports Boston’s Celtics coverage, click here.
Downloadable version of the Celtics’ 2025-26 schedule
Scan the QR code below to download a calendar version of the Celtics’ 2025-26 season schedule.
Celtics’ full 2025-26 schedule
Check out the Celtics’ complete regular season schedule below:
The relationship between a player and coach is special, but Steve Kerr is extra grateful for his bond with Warriors superstar Steph Curry and the unique situation it has put him in as an NBA coach.
“I’m well aware that the reason I’m still here is because Steph Curry is still here,” Kerr said on a recent episode of the “Glue Guys Podcast.” “And I’m not being modest, I’m just telling the truth. Gregg Popovich is one of my best friends and mentors, and every time we sit down for dinner, he holds up his wine glass and he says, ‘Here’s to Tim Duncan.’
“And everyone toasts to Tim Duncan. I love it because it’s genuine and he’s basically telling us the only reason I — and we — are all here is because the lottery fell our way, we got Tim Duncan. Other people didn’t. That’s how I feel about Steph.”
Popovich was the legendary Spurs coach for nearly three decades, but his success took over the NBA when San Antonio drafted Duncan No. 1 overall in 1997.
The two built a one-of-a-kind partnership, winning five NBA championships together and really setting the standard for what a special player-coach relationship should be.
Kerr knows he found something similar with Curry.
“If I didn’t have Steph, I would have been like every other NBA coach and lasted a few years, and then gone somewhere else and coached somewhere else,” Kerr acknowledged. “I’m incredibly lucky to have this partnership with Steph.
“He provides this stability and continuity with the organization that just makes everybody’s job easier.”
For the first time in the history of the “Battle of the Bluegrass” rivalry, Kentucky and Louisville will clash in November to kick off the 2025-26 season (Nov. 11 at Louisville). This will likely be one of the most anticipated games in the recent history of the rivalry, as the ‘Cats and ‘Cards are both expected to land in the […]
Two-time NBA All-Star Jaren Jackson Jr. is ready for a fresh start. The versatile power forward, who signed a five-year contract extension with Memphis in July, has been with the team since he was drafted fourth overall in 2018 — making him the longest tenured player on the Grizzlies roster.
As he enters his eighth year with the team, Jackson Jr. is embracing a new beginning — symbolized by a jersey change. He’ll wear number 8 this season, a tribute to his father Jaren Jackson Sr., who played 12 years in the NBA, and an homage to a deeper source — one that fuels his every move both on and off the court.
In the conversation below, the Grizzlies veteran reveals what he learned from this past season, the deeper meaning behind the No. 8, and the lesson from his father that's left a lasting impact on his journey. Jackson Jr. also gives a preview of what approach the Grizzlies are taking as they head into the new season, and shares what he wants the franchise to be known for.
*This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Mary Omatiga: You’ve had a few months to step back and reflect. What did this past season teach you?
Jaren Jackson Jr.: I think you're always supposed to stay level through a season. There's going to be ups and downs, but it's important to keep it [level]. That's something that Des [Desmond Bane] would talk about all the time — no ebbs and flows, just constant, steady motion. That's the main thing I learned. We had everything going in the season. We had ups, we had downs, we had some regular, some crazy stuff. I'm going to take all of that into the next season.
How about personally? What did it teach you about yourself?
Jackson Jr.: X and O-wise, it taught me to deal with double teams better and understand that I'm going to attract a lot of attention — more than I did in previous years. There's no hiding anymore. You're going to get prepared for it in a big way, which is an honor. It's just something I'm learning more [about]. I'm asking the OGs, and asking my dad how to deal with it. I'm watching film with my trainers and my coaches, and just being a sponge more than ever, because at first you're just learning more about what it is to be in the league, but now you're learning other things — you need them.
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - MARCH 27: Jaren Jackson Jr. #13 of the Memphis Grizzlies drives to the basket during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on March 27, 2025 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images)
NBAE via Getty Images
You’re changing jersey numbers this season. What led to this decision, and was it something you’d been thinking about for a while?
Jackson Jr.: It's interesting. I don't really make decisions — I don't like mulling over things. I feel like decisions are better flowed, or flowing. I have my best decisions when I'm riding the bike. I ride the bike a lot. This was midseason, I was riding the bike, and I had this idea where I just was connected to eight. I've worn eight before — in the McDonald's game — and my dad has worn it. It gave a new beginnings kind of approach.
My energy source of everything when I first got into the league was more [about] proving people wrong. Now it's just about discipline. Now it's about habits. I think that's a much more sustainable energy source. I think discipline is really going to be the thing that takes you to that next level. I'm just really attracted to that, and that's a new beginning in itself. It's something me and my dad both share, and it all fits.
When I had the idea, it honestly didn't take me long to communicate that I'm changing [my number]. When I told my family, I told them that I had changed it — I didn't tell them that I was thinking about it. I wanted to be all me, all on my own.
What did the No. 13 represent for you, and what does the No. 8 represent for you now?
Jackson Jr.: When I picked 13, people were like, "No, don't pick 13. "
I was like, well, because you said no, now I'm going to pick it. I wanted to make it my own. It's not bad luck if you flip it. That was my goal.
Eight just means a new beginning — a fresh start, a fresh mindset — which I feel like I've been on for a while, but I feel like this symbolizes it. Practice what you preach. New beginnings. Born again. This is the path we're on, and it makes sense. I'm going to year eight. My dad wore eight. It just kind of fits. It was always meant to be this, for real.
Earlier, you mentioned "energy source". Can you talk about how this has impacted your motivation?
Jackson Jr.: I feel like I don't really need any extra motivation, but if you're going to change your life around, you never want to get caught saying that you'll change it around a second time — because that just means you didn't change it the first time. It kind of puts it on front street, like, look, you have to practice what you preach a little bit and just be committed.
It's nothing to do with on the court — I know I'm going to work hard — but it's just more about doing it every day and not missing anything. Just really being that disciplined. I get that you might have to take a day off here and there, and I know I don't always do the best with taking those. I probably need to do a better job of actively taking vacations, because that's important to actually recover.
There are times I might go a little hard, but it depends on how you look at it. It depends on who you are. But it's about just being more committed to yourself and signing that contract with yourself.
MEMPHIS, TN - APRIL 26: Jaren Jackson Jr. #13 of the Memphis Grizzlies drives to the basket during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder during Round 1 Game 4 of the 2025 NBA Playoffs on April 26, 2025 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
NBAE via Getty Images
Your dad wore the number eight when he played for the Clippers. What was his reaction when you told him?
Jackson Jr.: Honestly, he was probably a little thrown off. He wore a lot of numbers, so he was probably like, "Umm, okay... like, why?" at first. And I understood that — it kind of came out of nowhere.
But he loves it. In the grand scheme, it looks nice. I called everybody and showed them the jersey, so they could really see it, and they were like, "Oh, okay, I get it now," and I'm like, Y'all don't even know. But you know, it was dope to see.
OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 6: Jaren Jackson Jr. #13 of the Memphis Grizzlies and former NBA player Jaren Jackson Sr. talk during the Toronto Raptors practice as part of the 2019 NBA Finals on June 6, 2019 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
NBAE via Getty Images
You've talked a lot about how much your dad means to you. What's one thing you that you can say you learned from him directly?
Jackson Jr.: "The journey is success."
It's a phrase that's on his business card. As a kid, I always thought it was just so basic — I was too young to understand it. But now I get it. The journey is a success in itself. It's about the process.
If you just keep making it about the process the whole time, eventually you're going to get to a point where you really fall in love with it — to the point where it doesn't feel like a process.
You’ve been intentional about carving out your own path—something we’ve seen through your foundation, "Much Required", inspired by the Bible verse your grandmother always says. What does that saying mean to you today?
Jackson Jr.: It was such an important thing for me growing up. That verse has never changed. It's always reared its head almost in an "I told you so" kind of way, if you ever wanted to forget about it, because there is always much required.
I've been given a lot. I've earned a lot. I've been taught a lot. I have a circle of people who consistently want me to be great — from coaches to family, to a bunch of different people, to creatives. I mean, the list goes on. I have a great team, and they know much is required of me. Much is required of them as well, and they do a great job.
MEMPHIS, TN - APRIL 18: Jaren Jackson Jr. #13 of the Memphis Grizzlies dunks the ball during the game against the Dallas Mavericks during the 2025 SoFi Play-In Tournament on April 18, 2025 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE(Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
NBAE via Getty Images
You’re entering your eighth season with the Grizzlies. As someone who grew up moving around a lot, what does it mean for you to be able to have this longevity — to be able to call Memphis home?
Jackson Jr.: This is a blessing. Not everybody gets this — definitely not with the same team. The average time span of getting out of the league is short. It's probably like three years, maybe even less.
So I think anytime I'm able to get to a point where I'm nearing double digits and I'm still on the same team — my teammates have so much trust in me. It's crazy. My GM, my coaches, everybody who's worked with me — we've all worked for this point, and now this is a new base. There's way more to do, but it's a good starting point.
What is the identity of this team this year, and is the mindset or purpose different?
Jackson Jr.: Just extremely disciplined. I don't know if there's much else to say except that, because I think we want it more than ever. I think you'll hear from us more about that on media day. But that is what we are. We're disciplined now. We've always been disciplined, but now that's just kind of the mantra.
DENVER, CO - APRIL 11: Jaren Jackson Jr. #13 of the Memphis Grizzlies handles the ball while Christian Braun #0 of the Denver Nuggets plays defense on April 11, 2025 at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
NBAE via Getty Images
Can you talk a little bit more about what that discipline looks like?
Jackson Jr.: It's a lot of holding each other accountable. You don't have to come in at 6 a.m. to work out. It's not about proving some crazy point about what time you [show up] — it's about doing something every day. If you have to do something with your mind, your body, on the court, off the court — whatever you have to do to be ready to play at seven, you do that. I trust that we're all going to have each other's backs through it.
I don't think there's one thing you ever have to work on; I think you work on all things, and then things just mesh. But if we hold each other accountable and have fun while we're doing this —we're older now, we're in a new stage of life, especially for the people who have been with me from the start. We see it. We see what's going on.
A lot of people are fathers now. A lot of people are married. A lot of people — their lives have changed. They're different. And that's going to translate on the court, in the locker room, when we need it most, in every way.
DETROIT, MI - APRIL 5: Jaren Jackson Jr. #13 of the Memphis Grizzlies drives to the basket during the game against the Detroit Pistons on April 5, 2025 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images)
NBAE via Getty Images
When people talk about Grizzlies basketball, what do you want them to say about this team in this new chapter?
Jackson Jr.: That we bring it every night. That's what I want to be known for. I don't want to be known for anything else... we bring it every night.
The NBA’s All-Star break isn’t close to the halfway point of a season.
Only 27 regular-season games remained when the Warriors started the supposed second half last season, meaning 67 percent of their regular season was done ahead of their eventual play-in tournament win and NBA playoff run. The regular season pie essentially can be broken down into four slices of 20 games, with one bigger piece getting an extra dash of two more games.
Warriors coach Steve Kerr always has seen it that way, especially when it comes to the first 20 games. That’s when he believes he can give an honest assessment of what his team is, and what they can become. The Warriors, this upcoming season, will face several challenges through the first 20 games.
It all begins with an ever-growing, and ever-darkening, shadow of Father Time lurking over the Warriors. If you haven’t heard, Steph Curry is 37 years old and turns 38 in March. Jimmy Butler will be 36 by the time opening night arrives, and Draymond Green will be 35. Those ages will be tested early on.
After milking every ounce of the Steph Curry vs. LeBron James rivalry to open the season, the Warriors have one day off of travel before their home opener against the Denver Nuggets on Oct. 23. And just like that, the Warriors, with an average age of 36 from their Big Three, will start their first back-to-back. They play the Portland Trail Blazers the next night, a team that shouldn’t be as much of a punching bag this season, as seen from their defense the final few months of last season, while also adding veterans like Jrue Holiday in the offseason.
Having two days off to enjoy the weekend after those two home games will be nice for the Warriors. The break then will turn to another battle of stamina in an instant. Again, the Warriors will host a back-to-back, playing the Memphis Grizzlies and LA Clippers at Chase Center. Though four of their first five games are at home, and the other being in LA, those four games are back-to-backs.
Will Curry, Butler and Green play both sides of back-to-backs? What if the Warriors do indeed sign a 39-year-old Al Horford who wasn’t playing both sides of a back-to-back in Boston?
The Warriors, after those first two back-to-backs, go one whole week before starting yet another. They’ll welcome the Phoenix Suns and then travel to Sacramento to play the Kings the next day. After a road game in Denver against the Nuggets and a home game against the Indiana Pacers, the Warriors, on Nov. 11, kick off a six-game road trip, tied for their longest of the season with a six-game slate in March that’s far from home.
The beginning of that six-game trip in November starts with a back-to-back (Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs), and also ends with one as well (Orlando Magic and Miami Heat), giving the Warriors five back-to-backs through their first 17 games.
None of the final three games of their first 20-game sample are part of a back-to-back, and all are in San Francisco.
“We’ve always spoke about there being 82-game players and 16-game players,” Green said at his exit interview press conference three months ago. “At some point, for us, we have to take a look at both because ideally, you don’t want to be from February 8th on scrapping and clawing for every win that you could possibly get. That takes a toll after a while.”
A season obviously isn’t decided after the first 20 games. There’s still three pieces of the pie to chow down. The Warriors were 12-8 through 20 games last season, tied for sixth in the Western Conference. They also were 12-3 through 15 games, lost five straight and began spiraling for months until Butler arrived.
Through 20 games last season, the Warriors played 12 road games and eight home games, including just two back-to-backs in that span compared to five this season.
This season’s first 20 games feature 11 road games and nine home games for the Warriors. How about the opponents? Here’s the full breakdown: Nuggets twice, Blazers twice, Spurs twice, Pacers twice, Los Angeles Lakers once, Grizzlies once, Clippers once, Milwaukee Bucks once, Suns once, Kings once, Thunder once, New Orleans Pelicans once, Magic once, Heat once, Utah Jazz once and the Houston Rockets once.
In total, 10 of the 16 teams the Warriors play in their first 20 games made the playoffs last season. Age, strength of schedule and the longest road trip of the season. The Warriors are staring at an exam from the start that can reveal plenty of answers about them moving forward.
The perfect ending is the first rematch of the Warriors’ first-round playoff matchup against the new-look Rockets, playing Kevin Durant and Co. in front of Dub Nation for the teams’ final NBA Cup game of Group Play on the 20th game of the season. TNT is out of the picture, but the NBA still knows drama.
The Kings finished as the Western Conference’s No. 9 seed last season with a 40-42 record, and a play-in loss to the Dallas Mavericks ended their season early and, more than anything, left a bad taste in their mouths.
Moments after the ugly loss, then-general manager Monte McNair and the Kings mutually agreed to part ways. The next day, Scott Perry was hired to clean up the mess alongside new assistant GM B.J. Armstrong.
Doug Christie officially had his interim tag removed and was named the coach of the Kings. He did a decent job after taking over for fired Mike Brown last season, but the real test begins in his first full campaign calling all the shots.
A new front office. A new-ish coach and coaching staff. New rookies. New starting point guard. New players, which means new training camp battles.
It will take some time to adjust to all the new, but when the ball gets rolling for Sacramento, there certainly is no shortage of interesting matchups along the way.
Here are five key Kings games to watch during the upcoming season:
at Suns (season opener)
Wednesday, Oct. 22 at PHX Arena
This likely wouldn’t have made the list if it fell on any other date.
But because it’s the 2025-26 NBA season opener, it’s only right that this is a key game to watch. Not necessarily because of the matchup, but more to gauge where the Kings are at and how a jumbled roster on paper looks in person.
The Kings won’t face the star-studded Suns, as Kevin Durant was traded to the Houston Rockets and Bradley Beal was shipped to the Los Angeles Clippers this offseason. Devin Booker still runs the show in Phoenix, alongside new teammates Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks, who were part of the Rockets trade.
Both teams have plenty of question marks to answer.
The first item on Perry’s long offseason to-do list included finding a starting point guard to fill the void left by De’Aaron Fox in February. That appears to have been checked off when Sacramento acquired veteran point guard Dennis Schröder in a sign-and-trade deal with the Detroit Pistons.
So, the projected starting lineup for the new season is Schröder, Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, Keegan Murray and Domantas Sabonis. Malik Monk and Keon Ellis are expected to be the first two players to come off the bench for Sacramento.
But Sacramento still hasn’t addressed the wing position that has haunted it for years, as the depth issues partially have impacted Keegan Murray’s growth. Jonathan Kuminga once appeared to be the simple solution, but that hasn’t been the case this offseason throughout his complicated restricted free agency.
Another question that doesn’t have a clear answer as of now is who is Sabonis’ backup? The Kings traded Jonas Valančiūnas to the Denver Nuggets in exchange for Dario Šarić. Valančiūnas played the backup role well for Sacramento, averaging 8.7 points on 55.6-percent shooting, with 7.0 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 16.9 minutes over 32 games (nine starts).
Currently, the Kings have Isaac Jones and rookies Maxime Raynaud and Dyland Cardwell on their big man depth chart. Newly acquired Drew Eubanks and Šarić also can play the center role, along with veteran unrestricted free agent Trey Lyles if he re-signs with the Kings.
Of course, training camp will help sort out the competition at all positions. But Game 1 of 82 also will be a good indication of the direction this team is headed.
vs. Spurs
March 17, 2026, at Golden 1 Center
Despite 7-foot-3 phenom Victor Wembanyama gracing Sacramento with his presence for the first time next season and the first time since early December 2024, there is another, somehow larger, reason all eyes will be on this particular matchup.
That comes in the form of Sacramento’s 2017 first-round draft pick, De’Aaron Fox. For seven years, Fox was the King of Sacramento and, after the Kings traded Tyrese Haliburton to Indiana in 2022, was believed to be the franchise point guard for years and years to come.
But after years of continued mediocracy, including a historic playoff appearance that didn’t lead to any sustained success, a divorce was imminent. The Kings shipped Fox to the Spurs at last year’s trade deadline in a multi-team deal that landed two-time NBA All-Star Zach LaVine in Sacramento.
And while Fox already has made his return to Sacramento since the trade on March 7, it might take years for the city of Sacramento and its fans to adjust to seeing Fox in a jersey that’s not the Kings. That jersey likely will be the Spurs for years to come after Fox agreed to a reported four-year, $229 million maximum contract extension with San Antonio earlier this month.
Plus, it will be the first time both Fox and Wembanyama take the Golden 1 Center floor as teammates.
Fox said it felt good to rip the band-aid off after playing his first game as a Spur against the Kings.
“Yeah, definitely,” Fox said on March 7. “I hope I play 10-plus more years, so I’ll be back. I’ll be here. So it’s definitely good to get the first one out the way.”
The 27-year-old point guard finished that game with 16 points on 6-of-17 shooting, with four rebounds, eight assists and one steal in 33 minutes. Sacramento won 127-109.
“I’m glad the first one is over with because now I feel like it probably won’t be as anticipated anymore,” Fox said afterward. “But next time, I’m hoping for a better game for us.”
vs. Warriors (all four matchups, really)
Nov. 5, 2025, at Golden 1 Center Jan. 9, 2026, at Chase Center April 7, 2026, at Chase Center April 10, 2026, at Golden 1 Center
No matter how much players from both sides try to deny the rivalry brewing between the Kings and Warriors, no one can downplay how intense the competition is when the two teams come face to face.
It doesn’t matter when, it doesn’t matter where, but any time the Kings and Warriors play each other, the barking gets louder and the claws get sharper. It hasn’t always been that way, though, but things have only intensified since their first-round meeting in the 2023 NBA playoffs, when Sacramento took the then-defending champs to seven games but fell short courtesy of a Steph Curry 50-point masterclass.
Since that point, the teams have split their eight regular-season matchups with four wins apiece over the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons. None of those games disappointed. And this rivalry that’s not a rivalry but clearly is a rivalry will have a midweek game in November feel like a playoff game in April.
While the Curry versus Fox matchups only got more and more fun to watch, that’s a thing of the past as Fox no longer is on the Kings. While there isn’t a particular matchup key to the outcome, there also is the storied feud between Kings big man Domantas Sabonis and Draymond Green.
Newer wrinkles added to the mix include a heated exchange with Steve Kerr and Doug Christie after Green set a rough screen on Ellis during their first matchup of the 2024-25 season.
Steph Curry on Steve Kerr and Doug Christie exchanging words after Draymond set a hard screen on Keon Ellis in the third quarter.
"That's two ex players wishing they were back in their jersey. It's good to see that kind of fire." pic.twitter.com/2NAmgjvOB2
And, maybe to a lesser extent, Sacramento’s addition of Schröder, who spent about seven weeks with Golden State before being shipped to his third team of the season last year, could provide yet another interesting storyline to a book that doesn’t lack them.
Not to mention the Kuminga saga, as the Kings have shown significant interest in the Warriors wing this offseason, with the brass even having a good meeting with Kuminga last month. However, Golden State hasn’t been moved by Sacramento’s offers, and all signs point to Kuminga returning to the Warriors next season.
Who knows what this season will bring to the NorCal rivalry?
vs. Mavericks
Dec. 27 at Golden 1 Center
The Kings will have their hands full when they come across the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft for the first time.
Cooper Flagg, who had one of the best freshman seasons in college basketball history with Duke this past season, and the Mavericks will come to Sacramento for a late Christmas treat on Dec. 27.
Flagg lived up to his sky-high expectations in his one season with the Blue Devils, averaging 19.2 points on 48.1 percent shooting, with 7.5 rebounds and 4.2 assists in 30.7 minutes through 37 games.
Aside from it being the 18-year-old’s first game against the Kings, a taste for vengeance might also be a factor leading into this matchup.
The Kings still have a bad taste in their mouths with how their 2024-25 season ended, when the Mavericks came into town and embarrassed them on their home floor in the NBA play-in tournament.
Dallas led by as many as 26 points and had a 22-point advantage when Sacramento waved the white flag and pulled its starters. The Mavericks won 120-106 and advanced to the second play-in game but lost to the Memphis Grizzlies.
Anthony Davis led the way for Dallas with 27 points in just his 10th game with the team. Klay Thompson made five 3-pointers and finished with 23 points, and P.J. Washington added 17.
Thompson’s showing was his own kind of revenge, since the last time he faced the Kings in a postseason matchup was when he went scoreless in a 2024 play-in loss when he was a member of the Warriors. The sharpshooter went 0 of 10 from the field and 0 of 6 from 3-point land in the 118-94 loss that ended Golden State’s season.
But Thompson bounced back in his next postseason appearance against Sacramento, adding to his long-time success against the franchise, which includes an NBA-record 37-point quarter against the Kings back in 2015.
Now, though, it might be time for the Kings to seek their revenge.
vs. Lakers (all four matchups)
Oct. 26, 2025, at Golden 1 Center Dec. 28, 2025, at Crypto.com Arena Jan. 12, 2026, at Golden 1 Center March 1, 2026, at Crypto.com Arena
This one goes without saying, right?
Any time the Lakers are on the schedule, all of Sacramento will be watching.
The rivalry dates back decades, when the two teams battled in the 2002 Western Conference finals. The series went to a Game 7, when the Lakers ultimately defeated the Kings. The matchup between the Kings and Lakers still is regarded to this day as one of the most controversial playoff series in league history, as there was widespread criticism of the officiating favoring Los Angeles, particularly in Game 6.
The Lakers advanced to the NBA Finals and swept the Nets to secure the 13th of their 16 championship titles.
That was more than 20 years ago, yet it still stings Kings fans as Sacramento hasn’t made it to the conference finals since.
The Kings dominated the season series against the Lakers two seasons ago, sweeping all four matchups in 2023-24. But Los Angeles returned the favor last season, winning all four of its games against Sacramento in 2024-25.
Plus, any game against four-time NBA MVP LeBron James is automatic must-see TV — especially after James made his NBA debut on Oct. 29, 2003, in Sacramento. And it will be the first time James’ new partner-in-crime, Luka Dončić, will face the Kings since the league-shattering blockbuster trade that sent him to the Lakers last season.
Did we mention that Dončić loves to play against the Kings ever since they infamously passed on him in the 2018 NBA Draft? Even years later, Dončić won’t let it go, even recently directing taunts and comments toward former Kings general manager Vlade Divac during a visit to Sacramento.
Luka Doncic as he puts away the Kings tonight in Sacramento with his final free throw, then as the final horn sounds, waves goodbye to former Kings GM Vlade Divac seated courtside and says "he shoulda' drafted me." pic.twitter.com/6j26cLprxA
That one might hurt a little more after the loss of Fox.
And to add salt to the wound, instant fan favorite Jake LaRavia, who was acquired by the Kings at the trade deadline, left Sacramento this offseason to sign a two-year deal with the Lakers. It’s always hard to see your ex with someone you already don’t like.
Honorable mentions
vs. new-look Houston Rockets led by Kevin Durant – Dec. 3, 2025
vs. Chicago Bulls (LaVine, DeRozan’s old team, plus facing a familiar face in Kevin Huerter) – Oct. 29, 2025
vs. reigning NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder – Oct. 28, 2025
The Warriors believe the vast improvement they experienced after acquiring Jimmy Butler III was no mirage. That their 27-8 record with Stephen Curry and Butler in the lineup tells them they can play with the best of the NBA.
Yet most interested observers align with the oddsmakers, who remain unconvinced. They’re awaiting compelling evidence.
The Warriors can begin submitting that on opening night, when they play the first of six games that should provide a fair assessment of where they stand in the league and their postseason ceiling.
What better way to immediately turn heads than going on the road and beating the league’s most publicized team – and most publicized superstar?
The Warriors were 1-3 against the Lakers last season, but the losses came before both teams made major changes February. LA acquired Luka Dončić and Golden State added Butler. On April 3, with playoff positioning at stake, the Warriors made a statement with 123-116 win at Crypto.com Arena.
While Golden State’s roster is unfinished, LA this summer added starting center Deandre Ayton and defense-first guard Marcus Smart. Moreover, Dončić is in the best condition of his seven-year career.
No matter Golden State’s personnel on opening night, a loss to the Lakers would give LA an early edge in what will be a savage battle for playoff seeding in the Western Conference.
Nov. 11 at Oklahoma City
Classic battle of accomplished upstarts vs. experienced squad rich with ingenuity.
The defending champion Thunder are built for today, tomorrow and probably the next 30 years. The Warriors’ core – Draymond Green, Curry and Butler – is built for yesterday but determined to show it has what it takes to flourish against the league’s young bucks.
OKC is trying to become back-to-back champs, something not done since the 2018 Warriors. The Thunder, then, hope to go where Curry and Green have been. As deep and young and kinetic as this roster is, this challenge is the biggest they have known.
No better means of measurement than facing the NBA kings in the league’s most imposing building. A loss would not be catastrophic, but winning at OKC would make a statement huge enough to be discussed and dissected for several days.
Nov. 19 at Miami
Butler returns to the place where he validated his stardom before an ugly exit.
Jimmy’s departure from South Beach had the elements of high drama. Pat “The Godfather” Riley, Hall of Fame coach and one of the most astute executives in NBA history, calls out his franchise player in public. Franchise player barks back. Both are too proud to budge. Coach and team are stuck in the middle of a feud that simmers for months before Riley sends Butler to Golden State.
The trade was a form of salvation for both teams. The Heat, shedding a massive distraction, finally could exhale and focus on basketball. The Warriors, after treading water for almost four months, could sprout wings and fly.
The victor on this night, whether Butler or Riley, will grin his way out of Kaseya Center.
Dec. 25 vs. Dallas
With the return of Warriors legend Klay Thompson and the Bay Area initiation of teenage sensation Cooper Flagg, the NBA hands Dub Nation two gifts on Christmas Day at Chase Center. There’s an outside chance Kyrie Irving, rehabilitating from a torn ACL sustained in March, could be back.
The teams split four games last season, with 1-1 records on each side of the Dallas trade featuring Anthony Davis and Dončić and the Golden State deal featuring Andrew Wiggins and Butler. With Davis and Irving missing substantial portions of the second half of the season, the Mavericks tumbled out of play-in tournament position.
Though Dallas is rejuvenated by the lottery gift that is Flagg, Warriors-Mavericks shapes up as a clash of teams projected to struggle to rise above the play-in tournament.
Jan. 24 and 26 at Minnesota
Was Minnesota’s playoff sweep of the Steph-free Warriors a definitive statement of supremacy, or a simple matter of a severely diminished roster?
The Warriors went into the conference semifinals feeling good about themselves, based on their 3-1 record against the Timberwolves in the regular season. Their confidence was further boosted by their victory in Game 1 at Target Center.
When Curry missed the next four games with a strained left hamstring, the Wolves feasted, in the process making the Warriors look too small, too slow and vastly inferior.
Golden State will have had more than eight months to digest its abrupt postseason exit. Revenge can’t come until the second half of the season, two games over three days on the road. A sweep would be fantastic, a split acceptable. Getting swept would be a punch in the mouth.
Four more games that can tell a story
Oct. 23 vs. Nuggets (snapped nine-game losing streak to DEN in April), Oct. 28 vs. Clippers (went 0-4 against LAC last season), Nov. 26 vs. Rockets (Kevin Durant joins feisty squad), April 12 vs at Clippers (second consecutive season finale vs. LAC)
After opening the season against the Lakers in Los Angeles on Oct. 21, the Warriors return to the Bay for a four-game homestand against the Denver Nuggets on Oct. 23, the Portland Trail Blazers on Oct. 24, the Memphis Grizzlies on Oct. 27 and the LA Clippers on Oct. 28.
In addition to hosting the Dallas Mavericks on Christmas Day, the Warriors also welcome the Miami Heat to Chase Center on Martin Luther King Jr. Day – Monday, Jan. 19.
NBC Sports Bay Area will air 63 regular-season Warriors games, with each game also available in the NBC Sports app.
The Warriors are scheduled to have seven games on NBC and four games on Peacock, the new broadcast home of the NBA.
The Warriors begin their quest to win the 2025 NBA Cup on Nov. 7 against the Nuggets. Golden State also has Group C games on the road against the San Antonio Spurs on Nov. 14 and at home against the Portland Trail Blazers on Nov. 21 and the Houston Rockets on Nov. 26.
Golden State gets to test itself against the defending NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder three times by early January. The Warriors travel to OKC on Nov. 11 for their first meeting. Then the Thunder visit San Francisco on Dec. 2 and Jan. 2. The final matchup between the two Western Conference powers comes on March 7 at Paycom Center.
As Steph Curry and LeBron James wind down their Hall of Fame careers, every meeting between the two superstars carries extra weight, which is why the NBA has them facing off on Opening Night. But after that game, the Warriors and Lakers don’t see each other again until Feb. 7, again at Crypto.com Arena. The two meetings at Chase Center come on Feb. 28 and April 9.
After Kevin Durant and the Rockets visit San Francisco in late November, the Warriors travel to Houston on March 5. The final meeting between the teams occurs on April 5 at Chase Center.
The Warriors will make their first trip of the season to Sacramento on Nov. 5, with the Kings traveling down I-80 for a Jan. 9 game at Chase Center. The final two meetings between the Northern California rivals will come within four days at the end of the season. They will play April 7 in San Francisco and at Golden 1 Center on April 10 – Golden State’s second-to-last regular-season game.
If Steph Curry hadn’t injured his hamstring in Game 1 of the Warriors’ second-round playoff series against the Minnesota Timberwolves in May, Golden State might have won the series. This season, they won’t see each other until Jan. 24 and Jan. 26 when they play a mini two-game series at Target Center. Their only meeting at Chase Center is on March 13.
If Curry, Jimmy Butler, Draymond Green and Co. are deep in the playoff race, the final game of the season could have massive implications, as the Warriors face the Clippers at Intuit Dome on April 12.
The Warriors have high hopes entering the season and they’ll learn a lot about the roster during the first 20 games.
The day has arrived: The Kings’ schedule for the upcoming 2025-26 NBA season is out.
As it was reported earlier this week, Sacramento will open the new campaign on the road against the new-look Suns at 7 p.m. PT on Wednesday, Oct. 22, in Phoenix. Devin Booker no longer has Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal by his side, but he will be accompanied by his new partners-in-crime, Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks, who were shipped to Phoenix as part of the trade that sent Durant to the Houston Rockets this offseason.
Sacramento’s home opener will take place at 7 p.m. PT on Oct. 24 against the Utah Jazz at Golden 1 Center, and the excitement will continue over the weekend as the Kings host LeBron James, Luka Dončić and the Los Angeles Lakers at 6 p.m. PT on Oct. 26.
The Kings’ first road trip of the season won’t be an easy one, first facing the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder on Oct. 28, and then some familiar faces with a matchup against the Chicago Bulls on the second half of a back-to-back on Oct. 29. They then take on two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks on Nov. 1 and wrap up the road trip in Denver against three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokić and the Nuggets.
Steph Curry and the Warriors come into town on Nov. 5 for the first game of the season between the NorCal rivals, and all eyes could be on the biggest storyline of the offseason, Jonathan Kuminga, who the Kings have had notable interest in.
The Kings’ first game against their former face of the franchise will come on the road against the Spurs on Nov. 16 in San Antonio. But Fox won’t return to the place he called home for more than seven years until March 17, 2026, when the Kings host his Spurs at Golden 1 Center at 8 p.m. PT. The game will be nationally broadcast on NBC.
Sacramento will face Durant and the revamped Rockets for the first time on Dec. 3 in Houston. The Rockets then will head to California’s state capital a few weeks later for a rematch on Dec. 21 at Golden 1 Center.
On Jan. 14, former Kings coach Mike Brown, who was fired last December following a 13-18 start in his third season with the organization, will return to his former workplace when his Knicks come into town. New York hired Brown last month to replace Tom Thibodeau at the helm.
Here is the full schedule:
Here is the Sacramento Kings’ full schedule for the 2025-26 NBA season ⬇️
The Kings’ 2025 NBA Cup action begins with a tall task against the Thunder on Nov. 7 at Golden 1 Center. Sacramento also will play the Timberwolves in Minnesota on Nov. 14, host the Phoenix Suns on Nov. 26 and face the Jazz in Utah on Nov. 28.
The Kings’ regular-season finale will come against Damian Lillard and the Trail Blazers on April 12 in Portland.
Sacramento is slated for nine nationally televised games.
Both times the NBA Cup has been lifted, it has been by one of the legends of the game — LeBron James in 2023 and Giannis Antetokounmpo last year.
The NBA Cup can also tell us something about teams we may want to keep an eye on in May and June. Last December, the Oklahoma City Thunder were playing in the NBA Cup Finals (but had an off night and fell to Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks; they were ready for the big stage by the time June rolled around). Two years ago, the Indiana Pacers, an up-and-coming team, reached the NBA Cup Finals, where they lost to the Lakers. However, they used the momentum from that run to reach the Eastern Conference Finals that year, then the NBA Finals this past season.
The NBA Cup opens with a Halloween night double header streamed on Prime: the Celtics at 76ers (7 p.m. ET), followed by the Lakers at Grizzlies (9:30 p.m. ET).
All 30 NBA teams will play at least four NBA Cup games within their group of five teams, then the winners of each group, as well as one wild card from each conference, will advance to a knockout round. The NBA Cup semi-finals will take place Dec. 13, with the Cup Finals on Dec. 16 in Las Vegas.
The groups are set and the schedule is OUT
Starting October 31, all 30 teams will compete for the Emirates NBA Cup with 8 teams advancing out of groups into the knockout rounds, with the semifinals and championship held in Las Vegas, December 13 and 16!
Two critical games in the final week of group play will be broadcast on NBC and streamed on Peacock on Tuesday, Nov. 25. Those games are:
• Magic at 76ers (8 p.m. ET) • Clippers at Lakers (11 p.m. ET)
Philly hosting Orlando features two East teams with high expectations entering this season after both were rocked by injuries a season ago. If everyone can stay healthy, this showdown between Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner against Paul George and Joel Embiid will be must watch.
Lakers fans like to say there is no rivalry with the Clippers, no battle for Los Angeles — until you tell them the Clippers have been the better team and the better run franchise for the past decade. These games between two teams that project to be top-six in the West are always entertaining, with LeBron and James Harden putting on a show.
Other NBA Cup games to watch
Here are a few more NBA Cup games to circle on your calendar.
Nov. 7: Rockets at Spurs Nov. 7: Warriors at Nuggets Nov. 14: Warriors at Spurs Nov. 21: Nuggets at Rockets Nov. 28: Bucks at Knicks Nov. 28: Mavericks at Lakers
Professional athletes — including NBA players, but in every other sport as well — are feeling the impacts of the explosion of sports gambling in the United States. Most commonly that manifests as people — both on social media and in person — angrily lashing out at the players for not hitting points totals or other stats that would have won the angry fan their parlay, or a bet on a game.
However, it can be much more than that. Michael Porter Jr. got to see that firsthand involving his younger brother Jontay Porter, who was banned from the NBA for life for betting on NBA games and "disclosing confidential information to sports bettors" about games where he intentionally "limited his participation" (took himself out early, allegedly due to injury), allowing them to win big on under prop bets.
Michael Porter Jr. talked about it on the "One Night with Steiny" podcast.
Michael Porter Jr. on sports betting
“Think about it if you can get all your homies rich by telling yo bet 10K on my under..this one game imma act like I got an injury and they all get a lil bag… some people come from nothing & they think like that.”
Currently, other gambling investigations are swirling around the NBA. Veteran guard Malik Beasley is at the center of a federal gambling probe where he allegedly bet on games and made prop bets. Also, Terry Rozier was tied to a gambling investigation, however, both the NBA and federal investigators say he played no role in any potential illegal activity.
"Obviously, my brother went through his situation, "Michael Porter said..." Malik Beasley's going through a situation right now. Terry Rozier was in some hot water. But the whole sports gambling entity, it's bad and it's only gonna get worse."
Porter said in the interview that gambling and the idolization of money were not serious temptations for him (while also owning that he had other vices) and that he and every player faces those challenges.
With both the league and its partners having direct ties to legal betting operations in the United States, the potential negative influence of gambling is going to be an ongoing challenge for the NBA and every other professional league. Porter, like many players, recognizes this, and he deserves credit for being willing to discuss it.
The NBA Board of Governors unanimously approved the sale of the Boston Celtics to a group led by William Chisholm, the league announced Wednesday. The deal is expected to close by the end of the week.
Chisholm will replace Wyc Grousbeck as governor in a switch from Grousbeck’s orginal plan to stay in place in the role through the 2027-28 season.
In March, Chisholm’s group reached a deal to buy the Celtics in two stages, which was the stated goal of ownership, led by the Grousbeck family. The deal valued the team at $6.1 billion in the first payment, marking the most expensive control sale in sports team history at the time—Mat Ishbia’s $4 billion Phoenix Suns buy in 2022 was the prior record. It has since been surpassed by Mark Walter’s $10 billion purchase of the Los Angeles Lakers.
On Tuesday, Sportico broke the news that a group led by Tom Dundon reached a deal to buy the Portland Trail Blazers at a $4.25 billion valuation. Assuming that deal and the Lakers’ one are approved, it would mark the 14th NBA control sale since 2013.
Chisholm, who will be the lead investor, was born and raised in Massachusetts and attended Dartmouth College, as did two of his children. He is the co-founder, managing partner and chief investment officer of private equity firm STG Partners, which is based in Menlo Park, Calif. STG’s portfolio includes more than 50 active and closed investments, with about $12 billion of assets under management, as of March.
Aditya Mittal will be the second-largest stakeholder in the Celtics and likely replace Grousbeck as alternate governor after the 2027-28 season. Mittal is the son of Lakshmi Mittal, who serves as executive chairman of $62 billion-in-revenue ArcelorMittal, the world’s second-largest steel and mining company after China’s state-owned Baowu. Lakshmi started Mittal Steel in the late 1980s and merged the company with France’s Arcelor in 2006. He is worth $26 billion, according to Bloomberg.
Private equity giant Sixth Street was part of Chisholm’s initial group when the agreement was reached. The firm, which also owns a stake in the San Antonio Spurs, will be the third largest shareholder, just behind Mittal. The NBA’s private equity rules cap the stake that a single firm can own at 20% of the team.
The investment group also includes Rob Hale, who was a previous Celtics investor and is raising his stake in the deal, as well as Bruce A. Beal Jr., president of Related Companies.
The Grousbecks bought the team in 2002 for $360 million. Last July, they announced the franchise was for sale, less than two weeks after winning an NBA-record 18th championship. The stated reason was estate planning.
The 2024-25 Celtics season had a jarring finish as All-NBA star Jayson Tatum tore his Achilles tendon during the Eastern Conference semifinals against the New York Knicks, and Boston lost the series. A long recovery is ahead, and the club has since traded a pair of key players in the 2024 title run, Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday, which will save Boston an estimated $180 million in luxury tax penalties next season, according to ESPN’s Bobby Marks.
Goldman Sachs was the financial advisor for the Chisholm group. BDT & MSD and JPMorgan Chase co-led the sale process for the Celtics. Jordan Park served as an advisor the Grousbecks.
Tennessee Tech announced Wednesday that the school is switching to the Southern Conference on July 1, 2026, and leaving the Ohio Valley Conference, where the Golden Eagles had been members since 1949. “This historic move changes the trajectory of our athletic aspirations and makes a statement to our campus and our community that Tech sports will be a part of a vibrant conference with new geographic rivalries,” athletic director Casey Fox said in a statement. Tennessee Tech will have 14 of its 15 sports competing in the Southern Conference.
Kurt Helin