The Knicks star became one of five Knicks-related ESPY Award wins on Wednesday night at Lincoln Center, as he took home Play of the Year honors for his game-winning tip-in during Game 4 of the NBA Finals.
The soft-spoken Anunoby went on stage to accept the award, but his speech quickly went from humble to hilarious.
OG Anunoby accepts the Best Play award onstage during the 2026 ESPY Awards at David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center. Getty Images
“Uh, it’s truly such an honor to win an ESPY to cap off an amazing year and special moment for our team,” Anunoby began, before taking a pause.
The camera shot zoomed out on Anunoby, who then awkwardly spread his legs, hunched over to level with the microphone and stood in silence for several long seconds.
Jalen Brunson (who won three individual ESPYs), Mikal Bridges and the rest of the crowd gathered at New York’s Lincoln Center erupted into laughter as a smiling Anunoby tried to continue his remarks.
“To the best fans in the world, we thank you for all your love and support,” Anunoby continued while holding back his own laughter. “Winning a championship for the city is truly so special, and I want to thank God, my teammates, the entire Knicks organization and all those who supported me along the way.
“Go Knicks!”
Since being acquired from the Raptors in December 2023, Anunoby has endeared himself to teammates and fans alike, both for his two-way on-court prowess and stoic demeanor.
He went viral for not being able to end an Instagram Live after the Knicks won the Finals in San Antonio, and once again drew attention for his stone-faced appearance on “Good Morning America” days later.
Of course, none of it happens without his iconic tip-in against the Spurs at Madison Square Garden, a shot that cemented his place in New York sports lore.
OG Anunoby’s speech led to laughter after a brief pause in which he spread his legs and tried to level with the microphone. Getty Images
The Knicks staged a dramatic comeback in Game 4, rallying from a playoff-record 29-point deficit to take the lead late in the fourth quarter — punctuated by Anunoby, who sprinted toward the basket and tipped a missed Brunson 3-pointer for the win with 1.2 seconds remaining.
In addition to Brunson and Anunoby’s wins, the Knicks came away with Best Team honors at the ESPYs, capping off an epic season and evening.
Kevin Durant weighed in on the highly touted free-agent sweepstakes Wednesday.
“That’s the million-dollar question. I wish I knew. If I had to choose one, I would say Cleveland. But I think Philly got a good chance, too,” Durant said.
Kevin Durant weighed in on LeBron James’ free agency. NBAE via Getty Images
“I would say Cleveland,” – Kevin Durant shares where he thinks LeBron is going pic.twitter.com/QEt7NeVh3u
Now, nearly half of those teams are no longer considered finalists in the James sweepstakes. It’s fair to say all of the Western Conference teams are out of the running for the NBA’s all-time leading scorer.
Rich Paul, James’ agent, revealed the veteran is searching for complete basketball happiness at this stage of his career. But that statement directly contrasts James’ willingness to join a contender on a league-minimum contract.
Perhaps James is searching for both at 41 years old. A farewell title would be an appropriate ending for James’ storied career, but returning to the place where it all began would also be a worthy curtain call for the 23-year NBA veteran.
LeBron James is entering his 24th NBA season. Best Image / BACKGRID
Philadelphia believes it can give James the best opportunity of hanging up his jersey as an NBA champion. The Cavaliers present an interesting offer as a deal would be a welcome reunion.
There is increasing belief that James will make a decision soon, but it’s evident his unique free-agency process won’t be rushed for anyone. James’ decision will have league-altering implications, thus the entire basketball world is patiently waiting for an answer.
Each year since 1993, sports programming channel ESPN has hosted an annual event honoring the top athletes and sports performances of the year in an event called the Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly Awards, or ESPY Awards.
The ESPYs highlight and recognize the best male and female athletes, most influential athletes and those who have spent countless hours giving back to communities. As part of the ESPYs are the Sports Humanitarian Awards.
The Sports Humanitarian Awards recognize those who have shown an industry-wide commitment to philanthropy and public service across six major honors: Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian Award, Stuart Scott ENSPIRE Award, Sports Philanthropist of the Year Award, Corporate Community Impact Award, the Billie Jean King Youth Leadership Award and Sports Humanitarian Team of the Year.
The Golden State Warriors' Stephen Curry was named a recipient of the Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian Award in recognition of his community impact through the Eat. Learn. Play. Foundation, a nonprofit organization founded by Curry and his wife, Ayesha, in 2019.
"When we launched Eat. Learn. Play. in 2019, we saw the tremendous need that existed in our adopted hometown of Oakland and set out to use our platform and resources to work to unlock the full potential of the kids in our community," Curry said in a statement on their website.
Curry accepted the Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian Award from the Muhammad Ali Center president and CEO, Lonnie Ali.
"Oakland gave us so much love, support and energy, and this is how we are able to continue to get back to the community that has wrapped its arms around us from the very beginning back in 2009," Curry said. "We’re just excited to meet kids where they already are every single day, because if you invest in a child, you’re investing in everything that’s possible for their future.”
Other award recipients include Philadelphia Eagles’ owner Jeffrey Lurie with the Stuart Scott ENSPIRE Award, co-owner of the New York Giants and Gotham FC Laurie Tisch received the Sports Philanthropist of the Year Award.
Additionally, there were three recipients of the Billie Jean King Youth Leadership Award — Julia Howe, Kelis Armstrong, and Sam Phillips. The Baltimore Ravens were recognized as the Sports Humanitarian Team of the Year, which was accepted by team president Sashi Brown.
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 15: Hugo González #28 of the Boston Celtics drives to the basket during the game against the Sacramento Kings on July 15, 2026 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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 2026 NBAE (Photo by Candice Ward/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Celtics won their 2nd to last Summer League game 82-76 over the Sacramento Kings. It was Hugo Gonzalez leading the way with 24 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists while Chris Cenac Jr. had 10 points, 12 rebounds and 2 blocks.
The Celtics started Milos Uzan, John Tonje, Hugo Gonzalez, Tucker DeVries and Amari Williams. Dillon Mitchell did not play in this game for rest. Darius Acuff Jr., Nique Clifford and Maxime Raynaud did not play. Sacramento started Isaiah Stevens, Emanuel Sharpe, Alex Karaban, Jonathan Mogbo and Dylan Cardwell.
Boston signed both Uzan and DeVries earlier in the day to training camp contracts, or Exhibit 10 contracts per CelticsBlog alum Keith Smith.
The Boston Celtics have signed Tucker DeVries and Milos Uzan to Exhibit 10 contracts, a league source told @spotrac.
E10 deals are non-guaranteed training camp contracts. After camp the vast majority of E10 signings will end up joining the franchise’s G League affiliate.
It was a slow start to the game, but Celtics first round pick Chris Cenac Jr. came off of the bench and hit a three right away.
It was a slow start for the Kings, who started the game 1-17 as the Celtics took a 13-2 lead.
The Celtics lead the Kings 13-4 at the end of the 4th quarter. The Kings had the lowest scoring quarter in the history Summer League according to ESPN. Hugo Gonzales led the Celtics in scoring with 4 points.
The Kings matched their 1st quarter total in the first 2 minutes of the 2nd quarter.
Sacramento’s offense opened up after that, they cut the Celtics lead to 20-17 with 5:25 left in the 2nd quarter.
The Celtics ended the quarter hot. They scored 19 points in the last 5:45 of the quarter and led the Kings 39-28 at halftime. Gonzalez led the way with 12 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists while John Tonje had 10 points and Chris Cenac Jr. had 2 blocks.
We all like to talk about Cenac and Gonzalez who have both played very well, but I have also enjoyed the way John Tonje has played. He came over at the trade deadline for Chris Boucher and a 2nd round pick, but remains unsigned after the Celtics didn’t tender him a qualifying offer. He has played well in Summer League and had 18 points on 6/10 shooting and 3/7 from three in this game.
The Celtics led the Kings by 8 at the end of three quarters, 57-49. Gonzalez was still leading the team with 17 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists while Cenac had 8 points, 8 rebounds and 2 blocks off of the bench.
The Celtics defense was great in this game, especially at the rim with Cenac and Amari Williams protecting the backline. Williams’ didn’t have a great stat line, but I thought he really impacted the game on both ends.
The Celtics put together an 11-0 run to take a 74-58 lead with about 3 and a half minutes to go in the game. Gonzalez led the charge, with 7 of the 11 points but their defense also took over.
Then, the Kings scored 11 points in a row as the Celtics looked to put the game away while expanding their point differential.
Milos Uzan had a nice and-1 to put the Celtics up 8 but 2 Kings threes put the Kings back within 2. Uzan had a nice layup to put the Celtics back up 4.
The Celtics won the game 82-76 after John Tonje made a few free throws to seal it.
The Celtics shot 38% from the field and 29% from three while Sacramento shot 32% from the field and 31% from three. Boston’s next game will be Friday or Saturday with opponent and time TBD. It remains to be seen whether or not the Celtics will make the playoffs, but it seems unlikely.
Some of the top suitors for James have reportedly included the Cleveland Cavaliers, Golden State Warriors and Miami Heat, among others.
USA TODAY asked individuals at the ESPYS where they thought James would be playing next season ... and one person revealed an interesting name wanted to get in the mix.
“I don't know," said Pickleball player Anna Leigh Waters. "I know the owner of the professional pickleball league just bought the Portland basketball team, the Trail Blazers, and I know he's trying to get (James), so we'll see if that happens."
Gymnast Suni Lee believes that James may be headed to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Lee has ties to the state, having attended school in St. Paul.
Magician Oz Pearlman doesn't have any ties to the teams interested in James but believes the veteran player will return home to Cleveland.
Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns, in attendance for the 2026 ESPY Awards at Lincoln Center on Wednesday night, took a swipe at one of the team’s playoff foes as New York looked to take home the Best Team award.
“You can pick up all the analytics and statistics you want,” Towns said during a pre-show interview Wednesday with ESPN’s Kevin Negandhi and Christine Williamson.
Karl-Anthony Towns and model Jordyn Woods attend the 2026 ESPY Awards at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center on July 15, 2026. AFP via Getty Images
“Analytically, we should win this one. We should win this one analytically.”
“We’ve had success against this team before. We’ve had really good moments,” Atkinson said after Game 3. “In this series, up [20 points in] Game 1. Even Game 2, take that run out from the beginning of the third quarter, and it’s pretty tight.
“I think analytically, I think we’ve won I said three out of three, I think we’re two out of three in the [expected score] … we’ve won two out of three. And I know you’re looking confused, but … if you believe in process and all that, take that layer.
Karl-Anthony Towns swiped at Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson (above), who said his team had been “analytically” superior. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
Karl Anthony Towns makes a joke towards Kenny Atkinson
After coming back from a 22-point deficit in the fourth quarter for a memorable Game 1 win, the Knicks ultimately steamrolled past Cleveland en route to a sweep.
Despite entering the organization’s first NBA Finals in 27 years as the underdog, the Knicks defeated the Spurs in five games to cap off a historic postseason.
After going down to the Hawks 2-1 in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs, the Knicks went on an improbable run, winning 13 straight games and going more than a month and a half between losses.
The Knicks swept the Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals. Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post
“The city hasn’t seen this in 53 years, hasn’t even seen the opportunity of being in the Finals for 27 years,” Towns added. “So when you think about those factors, a team that wasn’t picked to be the favorite, underdog in every series we played, including the last one.
“For us, with the playoff run we had, with how dominant it was … six-point differential in the games that we did lose. 49 days, I believe, without losing a game in the playoffs. That’s my pick for best team.”
New York was among several memorable teams competing for Best Team ESPY, including the Aces (WNBA), Dodgers (MLB), Indiana Hoosiers (NCAA football), Hurricanes (NHL), Texas Longhorns (NCAA softball), Seahawks (NFL) and the United States men’s and women’s hockey teams.
The show proved to be another trophy-filled night for the Knicks as Jalen Brunson took home Best NBA Player and Best Championship Performance ESPY Awards.
Speculation has since swirled over Golden State’s handle on the situation as some fans believe Kerr’s response hints toward the Warriors losing out on the NBA’s all-time leading scorer. That would fall in line with ESPN insider Shams Charania’s report on the sweepstakes.
LeBron James is the top free agent of the summer after informing the Lakers he would not return for the upcoming season. Best Image / BACKGRID
Charania revealed the only suitors left on James’ list are the Cavaliers, Heat and 76ers. Other sources have said the veteran is destined to land in the Eastern Conference, labeling the once seemingly favorited Warriors as current dark horses in the race.
There were plenty of reasons to believe the Warriors had as good a chance to sign James. For one, Curry and James had undeniable chemistry during Team USA’s gold medal run at the Paris Olympics. That was also when James familiarized himself with Kerr as a head coach.
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Steph Curry made a direct free-agent pitch to LeBron James on “Good Morning America.” Matt Baron/BEI/Shutterstock
However, the prospect of Curry and James teaming up once again appears to be slim.
James returning to the Cavaliers perhaps makes the most sense and ties up all loose ends in terms of his legacy. But Warriors fans can still dream of a miracle because of Kerr’s latest comments.
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 15: Michael Ajayi #10 of the Charlotte Hornets plays defense on Pete Nance #35 of the Milwaukee Bucks during the game on July 15, 2026 at the Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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 2026 NBAE (Photo by Mike Kirschbaum/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Milwaukee Bucks exterminated the Charlotte Hornets 110-91 tonight, picking up their first victory of Summer League. It was a game of runs for Milwaukee, which built a big lead early, blew it, then ultimately took things back to blowout territory down the stretch. Nate Ament led the Bucks with 23 points (Brayden Burries didn’t play), while Hannes Steinbach dominated for Charlotte with 27 points and 15 rebounds.
Bogi Markovic got the party started for the Bucks, throwing down a driving dunk and drilling a catch-and-shoot three for the team’s first five points of the night. Charlotte’s “big three” of Christian Anderson, Hannes Steinbach, and Tidjane Saluan all got some buckets early, and Nate Ament knocked down a couple pretty jumpers for Milwaukee, including an and-one triple from the right corner. The young talent for both sides was on full display. Milwaukee mounted an extended 19-4 run after the 6:02 mark of the opening quarter and finished the period with a 28-18 lead. Zack Austin’s energy was a spark on both ends during the push— he blocked three shots in his first stint off the bench alone.
The Hornets promptly tightened the gap in the second quarter, with twin trey balls from Latrell Wrightsell Jr. and Kylan Boswell cutting Milwaukee’s cushion to four by the 8:05 stamp. But, then the Bucks did what all good basketball teams do: they responded to the run with a run of their own. Ament and Markovic each swished a three before Pete Nance laid the ball up in transition, restoring a 12-point advantage and forcing a Charlotte timeout within two minutes of Boswell’s shot. The Hornets hung around with some help from Saluan, but Milwaukee escaped the first half up 53-37.
Charlotte came out hot in the second stanza. They were able to reduce the lead to single digits, 61-52, with a Michael Ajayi putback dunk at the 6:14 tick. A rolling layup for Steinbach thirty seconds later capped off a 10-0 burst for the Hornets. From there, the Buzz City boys kept rolling, and what seemed like a potential no-sweat Milwaukee win was suddenly flipped into a 63-62 barn burner with 3:43 left in the third. Again, though, the Bucks had an answer, as they built a 16-0 run in the waning minutes of the period that put them up 79-64 heading into the fourth.
The Bucks managed to hold on and snuff out the funny comeback business in the final frame, despite the best efforts of Steinbach and Salaun. Kam Jones, Milwaukee’s newest two-way contract man, was a catalyst in sealing the win, as was Ament, who strung together three finishes in a row with around four minutes remaining.
Stat That Stood Out
Eight players scored double digits for the Bucks tonight: Ament, Markovic, Nance, Jones, Austin, Brandon Boston Jr., Luke Travers, and Boopie Miller. Talk about a team effort!
LAS VEGAS — Adou Thiero’s summer league debut didn’t go how he imagined.
The Lakers’ 2025 second-round pick came into the summer wanting to dominate. He had an idea of what being dominant looked like. And then when he tried to execute that vision during the July 3 loss to the Warriors, it didn’t go how he imagined.
The Lakers’ Adou Thiero is trying to strengthen his 2026-27 roster spot with a solid summer league showing. NBAE via Getty Images
He predetermined his drives. He didn’t let the game come to him, instead trying to force his will on the game.
The result was not only a 32-point loss but also Thiero shooting 3-of-10 from the field for nine points.
“Multiple conversations with coaches, multiple film sessions,” Thiero told The California Post about the aftermath of the first game. “I knew after the first game, I knew I didn’t play well myself. So just talking to coaches that night and picking their brain and already knowing what I got to do better for the next games.”
Since then, Thiero has changed his approach — allowing the game to come to him — and his performances reflect it.
“It’s just about him just being available and getting the reps,” Lakers assistant/summer league coach Ty Abbott told the Post. “And as he’s gotten more reps, he’s been able to get a better understanding of how teams are trying to guard him, what his strengths are, what he can go to, right? You don’t really know what you can do until you do it. It’s like a trial-and-error type of thing. He’s kind of gone through that a little bit, and now he knows how he wants to go, where he wants to go, and he’s slowed down.”
Thiero scored in double figures in all four of the games he’s played since the Lakers’ initial loss, including having his best and most efficient performances during the Las Vegas summer league games.
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There was the 20-point performance on 8-of-14 shooting to go with four rebounds, four assists, three steals and two blocked shots during Friday’s win over the Thunder.
He had 13 points on 5-of-6 shooting to go with six rebounds and three assists during Tuesday’s win over the Clippers.
“With more reps, it’s just gonna keep slowing down for me,” Thiero told the Post. “So I just got to keep going out there playing and keep getting a feel for the game. And it’s just going to keep getting easier.”
Thiero’s playing time was limited during his rookie season due to knee injuries.
He played in 25 regular-season games, averaging six minutes, with most of his playing time coming in the G League.
Thiero didn’t play well during his first summer league game this year, but he has continued to grow after the opener. NBAE via Getty Images
Thiero played in six playoff games, including being in the rotation for a few games.
“I feel like during the season, it was a little easier for me, whatever, older guys helping me, putting me in places,” Thiero told the Post. “So now I’m out there. I got to be that leader for everybody. And that’s just getting easier as time goes on.”
At 22 years old, 6-foot-8 with a 220-pound frame and otherworldly athleticism, Thiero will have a spot on the Lakers’ 2026-27 roster if his development during the summer carries over into the fall.
The Lakers need a player of his archetype, even after their roster reconstruction.
And Thiero knows that starts with improving as a point-of-attack defender, which has been a point of emphasis from coach JJ Redick.
“Just pressuring the ball,” Thiero told the Post what he’s been working on defensively. “Just going out there, trying to be physical on defense, talk, trying to lead on the defensive side for my teammates. And just trying to set the tone. Every night we come into the game, set the tone with the physicality and everything. Chris [Manon] does a good job at it. So just trying to be up there with him.”
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 14: (Editors Note: Tonal effects have been applied to this image) Tarris Reed Jr. #10 of the San Antonio Spurs poses for a portrait during the 2026 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot at UNLV on July 14, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) | Getty Images
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The Summer Spurs looked completely out of it after being blown out in their first game in Vegas by the Atlanta Hawks after a fruitless 0-3 California Classic campaign, but just like Lloyd Christmas in Dumb and Dumber, there’s a chance for the Spurs to make it into the Summer League playoffs. Only the top four teams in Las Vegas Summer League make it into the championship, but there are only two unbeaten teams left, which means that at least two one-loss teams will make it into the tournament. All the Spurs have to do is beat the Jazz by a lot of points to get into the first or second spot among the one-loss teams. At the time of writing, that would require about a 30 point win, but could be more or less depending on how the rest of the games play out.
The Spurs might not want to get into the playoffs, because they’ve pretty much accomplished what they needed to in Summer League, with the team playing with nice energy and a little bit of cohesion after a slow start. If they don’t make it into the championship tournament, they’ll have one more game scheduled this weekend, to practice against another one of the also-rans and give the summer warriors a bit more run. My guess is that tonight is the last time you’ll see this year’s draft picks in the 2026 Las Vegas Summer League. Hopefully the Spurs will get a chance to face the Summer Lakers and Robbie Avila, who is becoming my favorite player of this year’s Summer League. It just goes to show that slightly overweight guys with coke bottle glasses can play this game.
This game will be on Prime, which is the NBA’s way of telling you that you need to buy every streaming service if you want to watch the games, even if you’re already paying for League Pass.
Game Prediction:
Corliss Williams pulls all of the starters in the fourth quarter after the Spurs build a big lead, trying to avoid the possibility of getting into the SL playoffs and playing an extra game.
San Antonio Spurs vs Utah Jazz(Las Vegas Summer League) July 15, 2026 | 8:30 PM CT Streaming: Prime TV: Prime Reminder: It is against site policy to post links to illegal streams in the comments.
The superstar Knicks guard took home a trio of ESPY Awards on Wednesday night for Best NBA Player, Best Championship Performance and Best Athlete in Men’s Sports.
To end the awards spectacle, the Knicks won the Best Team ESPY, beating out eight other squads across the sports spectrum.
Brunson was announced the winner of the NBA-focused award earlier Wednesday and earned his second and third honors at the award show at Lincoln Center in New York.
Jalen Brunson accepts the Best Championship Performance award onstage during the 2026 ESPY Awards at David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center on July 15, 2026 in New York City. Getty Images
Brunson, on hand with his wife, Ali Marks Brunson, accepted his awards on the David H. Koch Theater stage while dressed to the nines in a tuxedo.
“First and foremost, I want to thank my family for sacrificing everything day in and day out,” Brunson said after winning the championship performance ESPY. “Thank you to [owner] Jim Dolan and the Knicks organization, [president] Leon [Rose], the front office, Mike Brown, my teammates — without them, none of this would be possible. They allow me to be me. I’m forever indebted to them.”
He beat out United States hockey gold medalists Aerin Frankel and Connor Hellebuyck and Texas softball’s Teagan Kavan for the championship performance ESPY. Argentina soccer legend Lionel Messi, Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani and Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford were up for the men’s athlete award.
Jalen Brunson and Ali Marks Brunson. Matt Baron/BEI/Shutterstock
A group of Knicks, including Anunoby, Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges and president Leon Rose, joined Brunson to accept the team award. Knicks superfan Fat Joe fittingly closed down the show with his song “All the Way Up.”
He scored over 30 points in four of the five contests, with 36 in the Knicks’ historic Game 4 comeback before dropping 45 in the Game 5 clincher on the road in San Antonio.
Making it all the more impressive was that Brunson dealt with pain in his left hand and wrist, something that bothered him during the final two rounds of the playoffs, he revealed earlier Wednesday on ESPN Radio.
New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson with the Championship trophy riding on a float. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
The Post previously reported he underwent surgery for the issue July 7.
“I just remember being at the free-throw line in the third or fourth quarter of Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals,” Brunson said. “My wrist was starting to feel weak. I was like, ‘Where is this coming from?’ From that point on, I was trying to figure out what was going on, and how I can push through, because I wasn’t going to get anything done during that time.”
The youngest sons of the late Dr. Jerry Buss could soon be branching out into sports ownership of their own.
According to a report from The Athletic, Joey and Jesse Buss are pursuing ownership of a team in NBA Europe through Buss Sports Capital, their business venture launched a year ago after they were both fired from their positions in the Los Angeles Lakers front office following the $10 billion purchase of the team by Mark Walter.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver announced plans for the NBA's European league in 2025 and reportedly hopes to begin play in 2027 with London, Manchester, Rome, Milan, Paris, Lyon, Madrid, Barcelona, Berlin, Munich, Athens and Istanbul identified as potential cities for licensed teams. In addition to 12 permanent cities, the league also would have four annual qualifiers to put the number of teams competing in the league at 16.
Some markets have reportedly received bids of more than $1 billion.
“We’ve had tremendous interest from multiple cities in Europe, including cities that we didn’t even ask for bids from,” Silver told reporters on July 14 at the Board of Governors meetings in Las Vegas. “We discussed with our board that we’re in the process of finalizing those bids for an initial group of cities. Many of the people who are involved in those bids, the European bidders, are actually going to be in New York for the World Cup final on Sunday.
“Given their presence in New York, I would say we’re hoping to wrap up some of those deals over the next several weeks, and then announcements will be forthcoming.”
The Buss brothers also are reportedly considering a minority stake in the San Diego Padres under their new owners, José Feliciano and Kwanza Jones.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 15: Koa Peat #18 of the Phoenix Suns looks on in the first half of the 2026 NBA Summer League game against the Detroit Pistons at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 15, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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. (Photo by Louis Grasse/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Phoenix Suns have finished Summer League 3-1 with a +13 plus-minus as a team across the four games.
Maluach, Fleming, and Peat had their hands all over this one, as you love to see from your top prospects. The Suns had a strong opening and closing quarter to secure the win despite the Pistons looking in control in the 2nd and 3rd quarters.
The next timeout break came with a 22-11 Phoenix advantage. The Suns’ defense was on point, holding the Pistons to just 13 first-quarter points. The Suns led 27-13 after one.
Maluach was all over the glass, grabbing five boards in his first 9 minutes of action. He also had a block and that emphatic slam we highlighted above.
The ball movement was crisp offensively as well, leading to a catch-and-shoot triple from Rasheer Fleming for his second three of the game midway through the 2nd quarter. Moments after writing this, the ball found him again for his third.
Phoenix was in control for most of the half, but the Pistons went on a furious run to close out the half and cut Phoenix’s lead down considerably. After a strong first quarter, they were outscored by 7 in the second.
At halftime, Phoenix led 53-46. Fleming led all scorers with 17 points on 6 of 9 shooting from the field.
Second Half
The Pistons carried that momentum over early in the third, with them starting off on a 13-to-7 run.
The Suns would show some fight, answering the Pistons’ run to jump back out in front, led by a pair of triples from second-year man Khaman Maluach.
Maluach made his presence felt on the glass and dominated the interior yet again, which is an excellent sign of progress for the Suns’ sophomore.
The Suns led it 78-74 after three. Detroit outscored Phoenix by three in the quarter.
The teams continued to trade buckets in the second half. Koa Peat continued to show his playmaking chops in transition with the no-look dime after a steal.
Koa Peat steals it ➡️ completes the no-look dime in transition!
To be determined. We now await the rest of the games to see if the Suns qualify for the semifinals, but at 3-1, they gave themselves a shot. And more importantly, their prized young prospects looked (mostly) promising throughout.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 12: Darryn Peterson #22 of the Utah Jazz looks on in the fourth quarter of a 2026 NBA Summer League game against the LA Clippers at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 12, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ian Maule/Getty Images) | Getty Images
A keen eye’s glance at the Utah Jazz Summer League injury report would reveal that one prominent name is shockingly absent: Darryn Peterson.
Looks like Darryn Peterson is available tonight for the @UtahJazz:
Despite being deactivated prior to Utah’s blowout win against fourth-overall pick Caleb Wilson and the Chicago Bulls (this team really comes alive without Peterson, don’t they), Utah’s prized draft selection and prophesied hero of the wandering franchise is listed as available in the Jazz’s scheduled Summer League duel against the San Antonio Spurs, a team clearly horrified by the idea of squaring Victor Wembanyama against the flashy Jazz rookie — put him in your lineup, you cowards!
Typically, when a franchise star is shut down in the Summer League, that decision marks the end of their summer circuit experience. This is the case for AJ Dybantsa, the number-one pick. The chance of an injury delaying a player’s official NBA debut simply isn’t worth the risk in a meaningless Summer League exhibition. Shutting down the superstars and making way for the two-way hopefuls is standard procedure.
But if Peterson wants to take the court once more before Summer League is up, I say let him.
He’s fighting against two naysaying narratives at the moment. The first being a perceived lack of love for the game of basketball — I do not subscribe to this storyline — and the second being his offensive inefficiencies since the beginning of the Las Vegas leg.
Yes, his scoring totals have been fantastic, but with an average hovering around 33% from the field, I’d like to see DP employ more thoughtful shot selection and continue getting his teammates involved (five assists in his last appearance!). He can open up the floor for himself if he becomes a distributor like he was against Memphis in a 25-point, 12-assist performance; I’d love confirmation that a night like that was no fluke.
The Utah Jazz and San Antonio Spurs square off in a Summer League showdown at 7:30 pm, MT on Prime Video.
Calvin Barrett is the Associate Editor for SLC Dunk. Originally from Springville, Utah, he currently lives in Japan and has covered the NBA and college athletics since 2024.
Brown and Tatum were selected with the No. 3 overall pick in back-to-back NBA drafts in 2016 and 2017, respectively. The duo helped quickly shape the Celtics back into a perennial contender after a brief, post-Big 3 rebuild and eventually led the franchise to its 18th NBA title in 2024.
But that partnership came to an end on July 6, when the Celtics traded Brown to the 76ers for a package including 36-year-old veteran Paul George, two future first-round picks and two future second-round picks.
Tatum referred to the fact that "the NBA is a business" while expressing his understanding of the trade. Nonetheless, he acknowledged moving past the trade wasn't necessarily easy.
"There's still a human element of it that you feel those emotions. The city feels those emotions," Tatum said. "But there's also a side of like, we have to welcome our new teammates in with open arms, and we still have to attack the new season."
"So, there's like a balance," he added. "But it's weird."
As Tatum mentioned, his focus in wake of the trade will be on preparing for the 2026-27 NBA season. He will be looking to help the new-look Celtics improve upon a 2025-26 campaign that saw them suffer a disappointing first-round playoff exit at the hands of the 76ers.
Meanwhile, Brown will be looking to elevate a 76ers team that already has a strong core featuring Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe. Philadelphia also remains a player in the LeBron James sweepstakes and could emerge as the Eastern Conference favorite if the 41-year-old signs with the Sixers in free agency.
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